{"id":10259,"date":"2024-05-30T16:59:15","date_gmt":"2024-05-30T16:59:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/?post_type=story&#038;p=10259"},"modified":"2026-01-28T13:42:48","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T13:42:48","slug":"shared-decision-making-taking-an-active-role-in-your-cancer-care-journey-2","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/stories\/shared-decision-making-taking-an-active-role-in-your-cancer-care-journey-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Shared Decision Making: Taking an Active Role in Your Cancer Care Journey"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.green{color:#1d8680;line-height:2rem}.teal { color: #1d8680 !important; }.greenbg{background:#1d8680;padding:2rem 10rem 3rem}.lightgrey,.offwhite{background:#f7f7f7}.offwhite{padding:4rem 4rem 0}.lightgrey,.whitebg{padding:2rem 5rem 3rem}.white{color:#fff}.greenbg ul li::before,.white ul li::before{color:#fff!important}.lrg-txt{line-height:2.5rem}.whitebg{background:#fff}.nogap{gap:0!important}.lftbrdr{border-left:2px solid #fff;padding-left:2rem;margin-right:1rem}<\/style>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile full has-background\" style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(29,134,128) 0%,rgb(29,134,128) 100%)\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<span style=\"color: white\">\n\n\n<h1 style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\"wp-block-post-title\">Shared Decision Making: Taking an Active Role in Your Cancer Care Journey<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-flow: row nowrap;\">\n    <p class=\"text-descriptive\" style=\"color: white;\">Share this article<\/p>\n                <p style=\"margin-left: 2rem;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/?post_type=story&amp;p=5882\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share this article on Facebook\" rel=\"noopener\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\">\n        <path fill=\"#ffffff\" d=\"M6.023 16L6 9H3V6h3V4c0-2.7 1.672-4 4.08-4 1.153 0 2.144.086 2.433.124v2.821h-1.67c-1.31 0-1.563.623-1.563 1.536V6H13l-1 3H9.28v7H6.023z\"><\/path>\n    <\/svg>\n    <\/a><\/p>\n                \n                <p style=\"margin-left: 2rem;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.merck.ca%2Fen%2F%3Fpost_type%3Dstory%26p%3D5882\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share this article on LinkedIn\" rel=\"noopener\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\">\n        <path fill=\"#ffffff\" d=\"M15.205 0H.695C.299 0 0 .3 0 .7v14.7c0 .3.298.6.696.6h14.608c.398 0 .696-.3.696-.7V.7c-.1-.4-.398-.7-.795-.7zM4.671 13.6H2.385V6H4.77v7.6h-.1zM3.578 5c-.795 0-1.392-.7-1.392-1.4 0-.8.597-1.4 1.392-1.4.795 0 1.39.6 1.39 1.4-.098.7-.695 1.4-1.39 1.4zm9.938 8.6H11.13V9.9c0-.9 0-2-1.192-2-1.193 0-1.391 1-1.391 2v3.8H6.16V6h2.286v1c.298-.6 1.093-1.2 2.187-1.2 2.385 0 2.782 1.6 2.782 3.6v4.2h.1z\"><\/path>\n    <\/svg>\n    <\/a><\/p>\n                <p style=\"margin-left: 2rem;\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=Supporting Cancer Patients Through Scholarships For Nurses&amp;body=https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/?post_type=story&amp;p=5882\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share this article on Mail\" rel=\"noopener\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\">\n        <path fill=\"#ffffff\" d=\"M16 5.7V14c0 .6-.4 1-1 1H1c-.6 0-1-.4-1-1V5.7l7.5 4.2c.28.14.72.14 1 0L16 5.7zM15 1c.6 0 1 .4 1 1v1.5L8 7.9 0 3.4V2c0-.6.4-1 1-1z\"><\/path>\n    <\/svg>\n    <\/a><\/p>            \n    <\/div>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/05\/Shared-decision-making.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9246 size-full\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>A cancer diagnosis can be a life-altering and emotional event. Making important choices about your cancer journey can be complex and overwhelming, especially when decisions need to be made quickly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shared decision-making can help you work with your healthcare team to make informed decisions and create a plan that aligns with what is most important to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"green\">What is Shared Decision Making? &nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Shared decision-making is when you and your healthcare team work together to make informed medical decisions. It involves combining the best evidence-based science with your individual values, priorities, and lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are different approaches to shared decision-making, and the best approach will depend on your preferences. Some patients may prefer more guidance, while others may want an open dialogue. This relationship can also evolve over time as you learn more about your condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The benefit? Feeling empowered to navigate your care journey with confidence. By taking an active role in care decisions, your team can customize a care plan that meets your specific needs, and you can feel more comfortable with the path chosen and course correct as you move through it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"green\">Building a Partnership With Your Care Team &nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Central to shared decision-making is building a collaborative partnership between you and your care teams. This requires open communication, mutual respect, and shared responsibility. In a successful partnership, healthcare providers act as guides and allies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Where can you start? <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns full whitebg has-background\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\" style=\"grid-template-columns: 15% auto;\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-7476 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/05\/learn.png\" alt=\"Icon of magnifying glass\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><strong>Learn<\/strong> as much as you can about your diagnosis and test results.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\" style=\"grid-template-columns: 15% auto;\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-7477 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/05\/share.png\" alt=\"Icon of individuals having a conversation\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><strong>Share<\/strong> your preferences, values, and goals; ask a loved one to support if you need help.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\" style=\"grid-template-columns: 15% auto;\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-7480 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/05\/ask.png\" alt=\"Icon of a physician holding a clipboard\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><strong>Ask <\/strong>about available care options and openly discuss the risks and benefits of each.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns full lightgrey has-background\" style=\"background: linear-gradient(135deg,#eeeeee 100%,#f7f7f7 100%);\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<p><strong>The following are some questions to help you open the discussion:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol type=\"1\">\n<li>What type and stage of cancer do I have?<\/li>\n<li>What is the current prognosis?<\/li>\n<li>What tests will be done to analyze my cancer type and determine the best care options?<\/li>\n<li>What are the available options, and what are the potential benefits, risks, and short- and long-term side effects?<\/li>\n<li>How will my care options affect my life, including work, family, hobbies, and personal responsibilities?<\/li>\n<li>What support groups, services or resources are available for my type of cancer?<\/li>\n<li>How will my healthcare team step in to help manage my health if I am feeling unwell during my care journey?<\/li>\n<li>How will we monitor the progress of my care?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"green\">Leaning on Available Resources and Support &nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Knowledge is power. Patient support groups (PAGs) are one way you can gain access to invaluable resources and support, including medical information, care services, and community. By tapping into the collective knowledge and experiences of these communities, you can gain a deeper understanding of your condition, lean on others with shared experiences, and feel empowered to make well-informed decisions about your care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\">\n\n\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\">\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n<p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n<p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\" style=\"font-size: 10px;\">CA-NON-03253<\/p>\n<p>\n\n\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A cancer diagnosis can be a life-altering and emotional event. Making important choices about your cancer journey can be complex and overwhelming, especially when decisions need to be made quickly.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":10219,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"bdl_company_name":[],"bdl_item_external_link":[],"footnotes":""},"tags":[27],"content_topic":[],"admin_field":[],"class_list":["post-10259","story","type-story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-oncology"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.9.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Shared Decision Making: Taking an Active Role in Your Cancer Care Journey - Merck Canada<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.merck.ca\/en\/stories\/shared-decision-making-taking-an-active-role-in-your-cancer-care-journey-2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Shared Decision Making: Taking an Active Role in Your Cancer Care Journey - Merck Canada\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A cancer diagnosis can be a life-altering and emotional event. 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