Patient preferences for breast cancer treatments: a discrete choice experiment in France, Ireland, Poland, Spain

Aim: To understand breast cancer patients’ trade-offs when choosing treatments and to identify the most
important treatment attributes which drive decisions. Materials & methods: A discrete choice experiment
was conducted in France, Ireland, Poland and Spain. Progression-free survival, febrile neutropenia, pain,
functional well-being and out-of-pocket payment were the treatment attributes. Results: 371 patients
were willing to pay €6896 per year for 1 additional year of progression-free survival, €17,288 per year
for perfect functional well-being and €15,138 for one pain-free year. Patients are willing to trade
off progression-free survival months for better functional abilities and less pain. Conclusion: Patient
preferences should be considered by regulatory agencies, reimbursement bodies, payors and clinicians
for best treatment choices for the individuals.

Lay abstract: The authors wanted to explore what breast cancer patients want the most from their cancer
treatments. For this purpose, their preferences were collected in four European countries via a discrete
choice experiment. The study showed that patients prefer treatments that improve their ability to function
well in their daily lives and reduce their levels of pain. Patients’ preferences for treatment outcomes might
differ from those of the treating clinicians or regulators. Hence, these aspects can be discussed with their
clinicians to make a joint decision on the choice of treatments.

Eugena Stamuli, Sorcha Corry, Derek Ross & Thomais Konstantopoulou

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