“Who am I to say that I’m not going to take it”: patient perspectives on decisions about antithrombotic therapy in the context of advanced cancer.

Introduction

The decision to reconsider antithrombotic therapy (ATT) in cancer patients nearing the end of life is complex given the increasing risk of haemorrhage and thrombosis. A decision support tool (DST) is being developed to facilitate this process. Understanding patients’ experiences, values, and perspectives are an essential component, yet remain largely unexplored.

Aim

To explore these patients’ experiences, values and perspectives regarding ATT use.

Methods

Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with patients with advanced cancer receiving ATT, across Denmark, France, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Data were analysed using Framework Analysis.

Results

Sixty patients and 13 relatives participated. Three major themes were generated: CONCLUSION: Patients found decision-making around ATT near the end of life multifaceted, occurring amid a myriad of competing priorities. While patients reported a reticence to discontinuing, ultimately many deferred such decisions to a clinician, whose role was highly valued. These findings support a need for a DST, to support informed and shared choices in ATT decisions.

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Overview publication

Title	“Who am I to say that I’m not going to take it”: patient perspectives on decisions about antithrombotic therapy in the context of advanced cancer.
Date	July 6th, 2025
Issue name	Thrombosis research
Issue number	v253:109399
DOI	10.1016/j.thromres.2025.109399
PubMed	40651261
Authors	Baddeley E, Font C, Mahé I, Edwards M, Sivell S, Lifford KJ, Arfuch VM, Coma-Auli N, Søgaard M, Enggaard H, Helfer H, Mohammed NS, Seddon K, Pearson M, Mooijaart SP, Szmit S, Klok FA, Noble S & Højen AA
Keywords	Antithrombotic therapy, Cancer, Patient experience, Qualitative research, Thrombosis
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