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Radiation therapy consent forms too difficult to read, Reuters, Lisa Rapaport 10 May 19,

(Reuters Health) – Cancer patients usually get written consent forms to sign before radiation that are supposed to clearly spell out the treatment risks, but a new U.S. study suggests these forms are too complex for most patients to easily understand.

While radiotherapy has become more precise in recent years, it can still damage some healthy cells and tissues in addition to destroying the cancer. Common short-term side effects can include fatigue as well as skin problems like itching, blistering and peeling. Lasting side effects depend on the type and location of radiation therapy and can include more serious problems like new malignancies elsewhere on the body.

In theory, informed consent is a cornerstone of modern cancer treatment. But the study results suggest that paperwork patients receive to explain radiation is falling short of this goal.

“We looked at the readability of these forms and discovered that, even using the most conservative estimates, they were at far higher reading levels than most patients understand,” said study co-author Dr. Andrew Einstein of the Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. …… https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-radiotherapy-informed-consent/radiation-therapy-consent-forms-too-difficult-to-read-idUSKCN1SE2FR