Competing Risk of Death

Healthcare professionals were generally supportive of including competing risks because they add clinical context and personalize recurrence risk. Patients and public contributors initially thought competing-risk information could support follow-up decisions. The final design kept the competing-risk calculation but reduced emphasis on death. Some participants questioned or felt discomfort with competing-risk information when it appeared in a mock consultation. The team added guidance for clinicians to focus on recurrence rather than mortality, especially at the first follow-up appointment.