After a cancer diagnosis, one of the first things many people hear is a list of treatment options. Surgery. Chemo. Radiation. Targeted therapy. Each comes with its own risks, benefits, and tradeoffs. But what’s often missing in these conversations is the question:What matters most to you? One of our members, a 67-year-old man living with prostate cancer and COPD, put it simply: “They asked what I wanted to do, but no one asked what I wanted my life to look like.” He wasn’t alone. People facing cancer often feel rushed, overwhelmed, or unprepared to make decisions. But when they’re supported in connecting treatment options with their values—whether that means staying independent, avoiding pain, attending a child’s wedding, or having more time—they feel more confident and less alone. And the research is clear: when treatment decisions are made in the context of a patient’s values and preferences, outcomes improve (Institute of Medicine, 2011). What We Mean by Values and Preferences Values are the beliefs and priorities that shape how someone sees their health and life.They might include faith, family, dignity, quality of life, independence, or leaving a legacy. Preferences are how those values translate into decisions: Each person’s approach is different.
