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:
- Choosing a less aggressive treatment to stay functional longer
- Prioritizing time at home over frequent hospital visits
- Wanting full involvement in decision-making—or choosing to defer to a loved one
Each person’s approach is different. And that’s exactly the point.
Why Aligning Care with Patient Priorities Matters
✔️ Higher Satisfaction
When people feel heard and respected, they report greater satisfaction with their care experience. That trust can deepen relationships and help reduce conflict or confusion later on (American Cancer Society, 2023).
✔️ Improved Treatment Adherence
People are more likely to follow a plan they helped shape—especially when it reflects what they care about most.
✔️ Better Health Outcomes
Patients involved in values-based care planning report fewer hospitalizations, better symptom management, and even longer survival in some settings (NICE, 2022).
✔️ Less Anxiety, More Confidence
Feeling seen and in control helps reduce stress. That peace of mind becomes part of the healing process.
✔️ Empowerment and Resilience
Even when outcomes are uncertain, making meaningful choices gives people a greater sense of agency and dignity.
Bringing Values into the Conversation
At Ardynn, we’ve seen how powerful it can be when treatment aligns with what someone values most. But it takes more than a one-time conversation. Here’s what helps:
Compassionate Communication
Open, honest dialogue builds trust. We encourage providers and families to listen deeply and ask not just, “What do you want to do?” but also, “What do you hope for?”
Shared Decision-Making
This isn’t about handing off decisions to the patient—it’s about working together. Shared decision-making honors the clinical expertise of providers and the lived wisdom of patients (Institute of Medicine, 2011). Tools like decision aids can help facilitate these conversations.
Personalized Care Plans
Care plans should reflect not only the disease but also the person. That includes health conditions, home life, cultural background, and daily realities.
Involving Support Systems
Family, friends, and caregivers often play a key role in care. Including them in the process can help ensure everyone is on the same page and aligned with the patient’s wishes.
Revisiting the Plan
Values and goals may shift over time. Checking in regularly allows care to adapt as life changes.
How Ardynn Helps
At Ardynn, we help people understand their treatment options in the context of their whole lives. Our advocates are oncology-trained, board-certified professionals who walk with each patient and their loved ones through the questions that matter most.
We use real-world data to personalize insights—not just based on the cancer type, but on the person’s age, health conditions, goals, and what they value most. We help patients:
- Understand likely outcomes
- Identify tradeoffs
- Articulate what matters
- Advocate for themselves and their families
Because when treatment reflects the person—not just the disease—care becomes more than medical. It becomes meaningful.
Want to learn more? Reach out at memberservices@ardynn.com or call 737.307.0077.
References
Institute of Medicine. (2011). Patient-Centered Cancer Treatment Planning: Improving the Quality of Oncology Care.
American Cancer Society. (2023). Patient Preferences and Decision Making.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2022). Shared Decision Making.