Social Integration After a Cancer Diagnosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Social Integration After a Cancer Diagnosis in Teenagers and Young Adults
IRAS ID
281857
Contact name
Daniel Stark
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
We want to understand how the social integration (SI) of teenagers and young adults (TYA) changes after a cancer diagnosis. Here, we define SI as the trajectory of employment, education, social networks, and well-being after their diagnosis. We want to find out which factors, together or alone, help or hinder young people’s SI after their cancer diagnosis.
To describe SI over time we are undertaking 3 linked studies, of which the third is the focus of this ethics application, but the other two inform some of our methods.
Study 1. We are using secondary data from general population surveys to explore which socio-demographic factors explain the trajectories of SI in TYAs aged 16 to 39 in the general population [no ethical review needed].
Study 2. We are using secondary data from another survey of TYAs diagnosed with cancer in England to explore which clinical factors explain SI [no ethical review needed].Study 3. Through a novel data collection (the focus of this application), we want to see what type of psychological and social factors influence TYAs’ SI. We will run our own longitudinal survey of young people who are 10 weeks to 6 months post-diagnosis (Cohort 1) or 3-5 years post-treatment (Cohort 2). The survey will be run at consent and then 6 months later. Some patients will also take part in an interview.
The results of this study will help us find ways to improve the psychological, social, and general well-being and opportunities of TYAs by determining who needs what type of support and how new solutions can be embedded in current support services. Our ambition is for TYAs to have the same or better opportunities and outcomes as they would have expected if they were not diagnosed with cancer.
REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/PR/0428
Date of REC Opinion
7 Oct 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion