"It's not like I can change my mind later": reversibility and decision timing in prostate cancer treatment...

To explore whether reversibility, decision timing, and uncertainty are relevant to men deciding on treatment for localized prostate cancer (LPC).

Secondary qualitative data analysis of unstructured interviews.

Content analysis of previously collected qualitative data (31 individual interviews, 5 focus groups). We identified the frequency of references to reversibility, decision timing, and uncertainty and related sub-themes.

We identified eight themes: reversibility, timing of decision, number of options, "getting it over with," "the way I make decisions," uncertainty among experts, desire for certainty, and probability. Fifteen men mentioned reversibility in individual interviews; 13 mentioned the importance of the timing of their decision. Eleven mentioned the importance of the number of options; twelve "the way I make decisions." Eleven men mentioned the uncertainty of experts, fourteen the desire to "get it over with," and six a desire for certainty.

This study provides compelling preliminary data suggesting that men consider the reversibility, decision timing, and uncertainty in the prostate cancer treatment decision.

These findings may be helpful in enhancing support for men facing the treatment decision.