The long term effects of active cancer treatment:patient experience.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The needs and concerns of adult haematology patients on completion of initial active chemotherapy treatment in West Wales: a qualitative investigation
IRAS ID
226961
Contact name
Janet Bower
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Swasnea University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Over 2 million people presently live with cancer in the United Kingdom, a figure that is projected to rise in the future, and The Welsh Government acknowledge cancer as a long term chronic illness, rather than an acute, transient one. Although many people live healthy, long lives following cancer and its treatment, others experience both physical and psychological problems, some of which do not improve over time.
The concept of survivorship is not new, it is set well within the priorities of Government, but while we know much about it, we do not yet know how best to address it. Traditional follow up has a medical approach with a focus on recurrence of disease, however this model far from meets the holistic needs of the person affected.
This study aims to inform cancer service development from the perspective of the patient, working in partnership with the person affected to develop an understanding of the needs of cancer patients who have completed their active treatment.
The idea for this project stemmed from informal feedback from chemotherapy patients who had completed active treatment and current patients who are nearing treatment completion. Former patients expressed feelings of being cast adrift on treatment completion whilst those approaching completion are fearful for their future.
Using a qualitative approach, the project will involve a series of semi structured interviews with patients who have completed their active treatment, exploring their experiences of life after chemotherapy. It is hoped that the project findings will enable positive change and opportunity to shape a service that will make a real difference to this patient group and specifically to find a way to safely and effectively support patients as they make the transition from living life around cancer treatments to really living again.REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
17/WA/0156
Date of REC Opinion
26 May 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion