Part 7: Carer involvement in decision-making

As a carer, you may be involved in helping the patient to make important decisions about treatment and care. Some examples of treatment decisions that a person with cancer and their healthcare team may consider include:

• Whether to have surgery for prostate cancer or adopt a ‘wait and watch’ approach
• Whether to have breast reconstruction after a mastectomy to treat breast cancer
• Whether or not to receive chemotherapy for advanced lung cancer
• Whether to join a clinical trial or continue with the standard treatment

How you are involved in decisions depends on the preferences of the person with cancer (and your own preferences). It is important to discuss what you both prefer openly with each other and get support from health professionals if needed.