Perspectives on functional disturbance following rectal cancer surgery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Are we addressing the longer-term impact of surviving treatment for rectal cancer on gastrointestinal, urinary and sexual function in patients: a cross-sectional view of patients, clinicians and specialist nurses.
IRAS ID
189719
Contact name
Emile Tan
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This is an online questionnaire (non-validated) study, using 3 questionnaires, one each for: 1. surgeons (registrar level or above), 2. colorectal nurse specialists; 3. patients who have had curative treatment for rectal cancer. The aim is to ascertain what each group's views are regarding to the importance of symptoms of postoperative sexual, urinary and gastrointestinal disturbance following surgery for low rectal cancer (i.e cancer which is in the lowermost part of the large bowel). Postoperative bowel dysfunction is a common occurrence, with an estimated prevalence of 65% overall, with 41% having significant problems which last long into the long term; sometimes this is known as low anterior resection syndrome, LARS. Currently, there is huge emphasis on improvement of patient quality of life following cancer as part of the Cancer Survivorship Initiative. This study will give an indication of whether we are effectively meeting our patients needs and addressing their concerns regarding bowel function after surgery.
The questionnaires will be disseminated through various channels to patients and medical staff in the UK.
Data collected from surgeons and clinical nurse specialists will include their estimation as to the prevalence of functional disturbance, which symptoms they feel are most important to patients, and whether they routinely discuss the likelihood of postoperative bowel problems as part of the consent process. In addition, we wish to ascertain what current support systems are in place locally for patients. Data collected from patients will include their experience during the consent process, whether they felt that postoperative bowel, urinary and sexual dysfunction were important factors to be discussed preoperatively and what their main concerns were at the time of their surgery. Patients will also be asked to list their symptoms and indicate which are most troublesome for them. Collected data will form the basis of national guidelines for rectal cancer survivorship.REC name
N/A
REC reference
N/A