DIET & NUTRITION 
PATIENT EDUCATION 
OBESITY/WEIGHT MANAGEMENT 
EXERCISE/TRAINING 
LEGAL MATTERS 
GUIDELINES/RECOMMENDATIONS The CML SUN study surveyed 361 CML patients and 198 physicians and found gaps in shared decision-making during treatment selection.
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment decisions could significantly benefit from an increased level of shared decision-making between physicians and patients, according to the latest findings from the CML SUN study presented at the EHA 2023 Congress.
Key Points
- Patients aim to maintain or improve their quality of life, manage adverse effects, and halt disease progression.
- 39%-43% of patients indicated that their physician only described one treatment option, while only 19%-26% of patients reported a joint decision-making process.
- Despite 69% of physicians stating that they inform patients about treatment options, 48%-66% only provide information about one treatment option.
- 44%-48% of physicians reported making treatment decisions with minimal patient input. 74% of physicians see themselves as the ultimate decision-makers.
Additional Points
- Although most patients and physicians are satisfied with the efficacy of current treatments, many patients reported that their treatments impacted their quality of life.
- Patients reported physical (78%) and emotional (69%) fatigue, reduced ability to exercise (66%), and stress about whether the treatment was effective (58%).
Conclusion
- The CML SUN study findings underscore the need for shared decision-making in CML treatment, balancing efficacy and tolerability. There appears to be a lack of patient empowerment in the treatment decision process.
Hematology/Oncology Further Reading
- ‘Dark Genome’ May Hold Key to Early Detection of ‘Silent Killer’ Cancers
- “A Real Insult”: Oncologists Outraged Over Downcoding Policy
- “Eye-Opening” Drug Pricing Analysis Has Big Oncology Implications, Says COA Director
- “Surprising” Divide Between Physicians and Patients in CML Treatment Choices
- “System Failures” After Acquisition Leave Cancer Patients in Limbo
“Information is power. The more a patient knows and understands, the easier I find navigating complex decisions is, the higher the level of patient comfort is, and the better the relationship can be.”
Dr. Michael Mauro
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
