Does patient activation level affect the cancer patient journey?

<bold>Objectives: </bold>We assess how patient activation is associated with behaviors and experiences of people with cancer, including: understanding risks; making treatment decisions; communicating with providers; coping with symptoms; and adhering to regimens.<bold>Methods: </bold>The study utilizes survey data from six surveys each including 500 cancer survivors. Multivariate analyses are presented.<bold>Results: </bold>Higher activated patients are more than 9 times more likely to feel their treatment plans reflect their values, 4.5 times more likely to cope with side effects, and almost 3.3 times more likely to initiate a healthier diet after their diagnosis, than are less activated patients. Less activated patients are less likely understand their diagnosis, to follow treatment regimens, and to be satisfied with their care.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>The findings show that all along the care continuum, patient activation is associated with differences in experiences.<bold>Practice Implications: </bold>The findings point to the value of assessing patients' activation levels at the beginning of their cancer experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]