# Effect of Changes in Canine Thyroid Cancer Terminology on Caregiver Anxiety Levels and Treatment Preferences in a Scenario‐Based Study

## TL;DR

This study shows that the words used to describe canine thyroid cancer affect how anxious pet owners feel and the treatments they prefer.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates that terminology influences treatment preferences and anxiety in canine cancer caregivers.

## Key findings

- Participants were more anxious when the term 'papillary thyroid cancer' was used compared to other terms.
- Surgery was the most preferred treatment when 'papillary thyroid cancer' was mentioned.
- Terminology significantly affected both treatment choices and anxiety levels.

## Abstract

In human medicine, the choice of medical terminology influences patients' choice of management options and associated anxiety levels in relation to their diagnoses. The objective of this study was to determine the association between canine caregiver's treatment choices and anxiety levels when papillary thyroid cancer is described with or without the term cancer. This randomised cross‐sectional study surveyed 683 people over 18 years old over 8.5 months. Respondents ranked their treatment preference (total thyroidectomy, active surveillance, medical therapy, or radiation therapy) following a scenario‐based diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), thyroid papillary lesion (TPL) or abnormal cells (AC) in their canine pet. Respondents stated their level of anxiety associated with the diagnosis and treatment choice. Of 683 respondents, 622 (91.7%) were female. When presented with a diagnosis of PTC, TPL or AC, 78.1%, 34.2% and 59.3% of participants, respectively, reported being anxious or very anxious about this diagnosis (p < 0.01). Surgery was chosen as a first‐choice treatment for PTC, TPL and AC by 71.8%, 39.8% and 53.8% of respondents, respectively, whereas active surveillance was chosen as a first‐choice treatment by 24.5%, 57.5% and 43.9% of respondents, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in first‐choice treatment selection (p < 0.01) and anxiety levels related to treatment (p < 0.01) between the three different terms. The terminology used when presenting caregivers with a diagnosis of PTC influences treatment choices and levels of anxiety.