Ratima Voogel

In 2019, I joined the Bleiker group as part of an internship for my Master’s degree Health and Medical Psychology. I returned in March 2024 as a PhD student, now working on the DCIS-CHOICES project.  DCIS, which stands for ductal carcinoma in situ, is a possible precursor to invasive breast cancer, where there are abnormal cells within the milk duct of the breast. These cell have not spread to surrounding tissue and are therefore not considered invasive breast cancer. If these cells do spread into surrounding tissue, the DCIS becomes invasive breast cancer, which is why women with DCIS often face similar treatment options to people diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Depending on characteristics of the DCIS but also one’s personal preferences, decisions may have to be made regarding (type of) breast surgery, radiotherapy and (type of) breast reconstruction. For women diagnosed with DCIS grade 1 or 2, there is also an option to participate in the LORD trial, where  they can choose to monitor the DCIS instead of treating it with surgery and/or radiotherapy. These decisions can be difficult to make. Furthermore, it can be a challenge for the health care professional to explain the various options within the limited time of a consultation.

The aim of this project is to develop support tools for women diagnosed with DCIS and for the health care professionals treating these women. The support tool for patients will consist of an online decision aid, in order to help them make well informed treatment decisions. The support tool for health care professionals will consist of a conversation guide and summary sheet of the information in the online decision aid, for use in the consultation room.