Creating a tool to help older women decide on chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer

Developing a Decision Tool for Chemotherapy in Older Women with Early Stage Breast Cancer

NIH-funded research University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-10686368

This study is creating a helpful tool for older women with early-stage breast cancer to make informed choices about chemotherapy, taking into account their health needs and side effects, so they can feel more confident in discussing their treatment options with their doctors.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Houston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10686368 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a decision-making tool specifically for older women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. It aims to address the complexities involved in choosing chemotherapy by considering factors such as medical comorbidities and unique side effects that older patients may face. The tool will consist of two parts: one for physicians that includes validated risk outcomes, and another for patients that provides education on the disease, treatment benefits and risks, and personalized outcome probabilities. This approach is designed to enhance communication between patients and their healthcare providers, empowering patients to take an active role in their treatment decisions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer who are considering chemotherapy as a treatment option.

Not a fit: Patients who are not diagnosed with breast cancer or those who are not of advanced age may not receive any benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide older women with a clearer understanding of their treatment options, leading to more informed and personalized healthcare decisions.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that decision aids can significantly improve shared decision-making processes in healthcare, indicating a promising approach for this project.

Where this research is happening

Houston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Breast Cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.