The Book of Answers: Lung Cancer Edition Launches as China’s First Shared Decision-Making Tool Covering the Entire Patient Journey

Source: Global Times

Every November is "International Lung Cancer Awareness Month." On this occasion, *The Book of Answers: Lung Cancer Edition* (hereinafter referred to as *The Book of Answers*), initiated by Johnson & Johnson and supported by the People's Good Doctor platform and咚咚癌友圈, has officially launched. As the first comprehensive science communication tool in China focusing on shared decision-making for lung cancer, *The Book of Answers* relies on authoritative medical resources and uncovers real patient insights. By providing scientific, practical, and easy-to-understand medical guidance, it helps lung cancer patients build a scientific understanding of the disease, enhances their ability to communicate during consultations, promotes the implementation of shared decision-making in clinical practice, and improves the efficiency of lung cancer diagnosis and treatment as well as patients' quality of life. This initiative is a public welfare action that integrates medical authority with humanistic care.

The Book of Answers first conducted a patient needs survey during its compilation process, gathering the most frequent and genuine questions patients ask in clinical settings. These questions cover the entire course of the disease from prevention, diagnosis, treatment to rehabilitation. The resulting list of questions and essential disease knowledge is both professional and practical, filling the gap in existing popular science content in the field of shared decision-making support, and becoming an effective tool to promote the transformation of the medical treatment model.

Li Bin, Co-founder of咚咚癌友圈and Head of Oncology Patient Management, stated: "On the journey of fighting cancer, what patients worry about most is often the 'information gap'—not understanding reports, not comprehending treatment plans, and not knowing what questions to ask, ultimately leaving them no choice but to passively accept decisions. The advent of *The Book of Answers* perfectly bridges this gap, guiding patients to adopt 'three thoughtful considerations' during consultations: first, correctly listening to the doctor's professional advice; second, referring to multiple sources of information; and third, reflecting on their own needs and expectations. Only when patients can clearly express themselves and actively ask questions can efficient communication between doctors and patients be achieved, leading to the formulation of truly personalized treatment plans."

The Book of Answers focuses on the three phases of "diagnosis – treatment – long-term management," addressing frequent questions and concerns patients encounter throughout the entire course of the disease. For example, during the diagnosis phase, it reminds patients to clarify "the specific stage of the tumor and its spread" and "whether genetic testing is necessary." In the treatment phase, it delves into key details such as "what targeted drugs are available for my genetic mutation?" "What is the most appropriate treatment plan with the goal of maximizing survival time?" and "Can adverse reactions be pre-treated?" During the long-term management phase, it covers specifics like "What are the follow-up examination items?" and "What should be noted in terms of diet and nutrition?" This checklist ensures that patients ask the right questions during their brief time in the consulting room, without missing any critical issues related to treatment decisions.

Facing the myriad of conflicting information online, patients often struggle to distinguish truth from falsehood. "The Book of Answers" directly addresses the four most common misconceptions patients fall into, such as "Lung cancer patients must be smokers" and "Combination therapy is too toxic to endure," using scientific "facts" to debunk each myth one by one, helping everyone establish a correct understanding of the disease. Only when patients are aware of the real situation can they make more suitable choices for themselves in "shared decision-making," avoiding anxiety and indecision caused by misinformation.

During the diagnosis and treatment process, patients often encounter difficult medical terms that can easily lead to misunderstandings. To address this, *The Book of Answers* provides clear explanations for common yet obscure professional terms found in diagnostic reports and treatment plans—such as "EGFR gene mutation" and "progression-free survival"—enabling patients and their families to fully understand the condition and treatment options, thereby better cooperating with doctors throughout the treatment process.

It is reported that "The Book of Answers" has been simultaneously launched on the Dongdong Cancer Patients Circle and the People's Good Doctor platform. The popularization of this科普 tool is expected to benefit more lung cancer patients through the shared decision-making model, guiding them toward high-quality, long-term survival under scientific direction.