It also covers the incidence and genetics of breast cancer, the investigations involved in making a diagnosis of breast cancer, and suggests questions about all aspects of their care which women might like to ask their health care providers. The consumer's guide is also important as a strategy for encouraging the adoption of the clinical guidelines since it is likely that better informed women will seek and request better care. Early Breast Cancer to health professionals and consumers. The consumer's guide can also be accessed through the Centre's Home Page. Analysis of use of the Home Page has indicated that the consumer's guide is among the top ten files accessed by Australian and overseas Internet users.
Research suggests that patients want to be involved in decision-making about their treatment.
For example, Cassileth et al19 studied the preferences of patients with metastatic disease, a quarter of whom were women with breast cancer, and found that the majority of patients preferred having detailed information about treatment options. Ward et al 20 found that playing an active role in their care is of particular concern to women with breast cancer. To do this they need access to appropriate information, available in a range of formats. A woman needs a reading level of year 12 to be able to understand the consumer's guide. It is estimated that in Australia the number of people with a print disability, that is those who can't see, handle or manipulate standard print is in the region of 1.1 to 1.7 million people.