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Cancer literacy - Informing patients and implementing shared decision making
Guy Buyens1, Michael van Balken2, Kathy Oliver3
1The Anticancer Fund, BE.
Journal of Cancer Policy
|December 3, 2022
Summary
Empowering cancer patients requires accurate information and enhanced health literacy to combat misinformation. Improving cancer literacy is crucial for informed decision-making and addressing health inequalities across Europe.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Public Health
- Health Communication
Background:
- Patient engagement in cancer care is vital for treatment success.
- Access to accurate cancer information is often limited by misinformation.
- Health literacy and cancer-specific literacy are critical for informed patient decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of health literacy in empowering cancer patients.
- To identify gaps in addressing literacy issues in cancer care.
- To propose recommendations for improving cancer literacy in Europe.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on health literacy and cancer patient empowerment.
- Analysis of misinformation challenges in cancer care.
- Examination of health inequalities related to cancer literacy.
Main Results:
- Misinformation hinders patients' ability to engage actively in their treatment decisions.
- Cancer literacy varies significantly across and within European countries.
- Social determinants exacerbate inequalities in cancer information access and understanding.
Conclusions:
- Enhancing health and cancer literacy is essential to empower patients.
- Addressing literacy gaps can help mitigate health inequalities in cancer care.
- Targeted interventions are needed to improve cancer literacy across Europe.
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