Most teens and young adults with cancer want a voice in how their tumours are treated, but almost one in four express regret about the initial treatment decisions made, a study suggests.

Researchers surveyed 203 cancer patients, ages 15-29, within six weeks of their diagnosis to ask about their decision-making preferences and experiences.

They checked back with these young patients again after four months and one year to see whether their feelings about treatment decisions changed over time.

At the outset, 58% of the patients said they wanted to share responsibility for deciding their best course of action, and 51% wanted limited involvement from their parents. Most had the role in decision-making that they wanted, the US researchers note.