Optional discussion worksheet
Comparing treatment choices
Compare two clinically relevant options using the same questions, with the patient’s priorities alongside benefit, burdens and uncertainty.
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1. Start with the decision and your priorities
This is a conversation aid, not a recommendation, consent form or score. Ask the clinician to identify reasonable alternatives. Supportive or palliative care can accompany cancer treatment.
Decision being considered / date / clinician to discuss it with
What the patient hopes treatment will help them do or feel
Burdens or outcomes the patient particularly wants to avoid
Information or communication support needed; who may join the conversation
How soon a decision is needed, confirmed by the treating team; what is safe to clarify first
2. Option A: ask the same questions
Record the clinician’s explanation. Ask whether numbers apply to people like this patient. If an estimate is uncertain or unavailable, record that rather than guessing.
Name of option / treatment goal / what it involves
Expected benefit in absolute numbers if available; outcome, time period and uncertainty
Common burdens and important serious risks; impact on function and daily life
Visits, time away from home, monitoring, support and likely out-of-pocket costs
How success will be checked; reasons to pause, stop or change
3. Option B: ask the same questions
Use another copy for an additional option. Where clinically relevant, ask what symptom-focused care without another cancer-directed treatment would involve.
Name of option / treatment goal / what it involves
Expected benefit in absolute numbers if available; outcome, time period and uncertainty
Common burdens and important serious risks; impact on function and daily life
Visits, time away from home, monitoring, support and likely out-of-pocket costs
How success will be checked; reasons to pause, stop or change
4. Bring the comparison back to the patient
There is no total score and no automatically preferred option. The patient can ask for more explanation, a second opinion or another conversation within the clinical time available.
Which option fits the patient’s priorities and why; remaining concerns
Questions the team still needs to answer / who will answer them / by when
What the patient understood about the alternatives, benefits, risks and uncertainty
Next discussion or decision step; any separate formal consent required by the hospital
Review point and situations that should prompt an earlier conversation
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These are discussion prompts, not prescriptions, emergency instructions or formal medical or legal documents. Use the current verified plan from your care team.
Read with this tool
- When cancer returns or treatment stops working: a guide for patients and families
- Cancer treatment in later life: a guide for older adults and families
- Preparing together for the last weeks and days of life
Sources and further reading
These prompts accompany the source-checked guides linked above. Their Sources and further reading sections contain the original references.