A qualitative study conducted in Spanish oncology consultations identifies the themes that most alter patients’ emotions during the decision about their treatment, and points to side effects and delays as the biggest sources of negative impact.
What was known
The consultation in which cancer treatment is decided is a key moment for the patient, but little was known about which specific aspects of the conversation generate the most emotional shifts, both positive and negative, and how they affect the patient’s experience.
What this work adds
31 consultations from cancer care pathways were recorded, transcribed and analyzed, with follow-up of patients until they decided on and started treatment. Twelve patients participated — eight with breast cancer and four with melanoma — at the Miguel Servet University Hospital in Zaragoza (nine women and three men). An inductive content analysis was applied to interpret emotional variations.
Main results
Emotional variations were grouped into five main themes: clinical history, cancer diagnosis, discussion of possible treatment options, side effects, and next steps (additional tests and further consultations to decide). Most of the variations detected were negative and clustered around treatment, side effects and next steps. The most pronounced were related to delays in starting treatment and the possibility of hair loss.
What it means
The authors conclude that knowing these themes and how emotions shift can help understand patients’ experience in initial oncology consultations and improve communication. Oncologists could use these data to detect when a patient is experiencing negative emotions and respond appropriately. For breast units, it is an invitation to take care with information about waiting times and side effects, two of the points that most worry patients.
Reading from the breast unit
The study was conducted at the Miguel Servet University Hospital in Zaragoza. Its findings are relevant for breast units, where clinical communication and patient experience are recognized areas for improvement: knowing which topics cause the most concern helps prepare consultations better.
Reference: Sañudo Y, Aguado-González L, Medina Castillo A, Sierra-Pérez J. Identifying emotional variations in Spanish oncology patients during treatment decision consultations: a qualitative study. BMJ Open, 2026. DOI
