The Route to a Diagnosis of Head and Neck Cancer (V1.1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Routes to Diagnosis - A qualitative investigation on the experience of being diagnosed with head and neck cancer.
IRAS ID
207201
Contact name
Linda Sharp
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 1 days
Research summary
The overall aim of the project is to understand the routes to, and experience of, a diagnosis of head and neck cancer. This will involve in-depth interviews with patients who have completed treatment for head and neck cancer and healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis of head and neck cancer.
Patients with head and neck cancer are often diagnosed at a late stage, which then reduces their chances of survival. However we don’t understand why this happens and what it is that is causing this delay. Therefore in the interviews the patients will be asked to talk about which healthcare professionals they had contact with, from when they first felt that something was wrong. They will also be asked about what these interactions were like and who else they spoke to other than healthcare professionals.
Another important aspect is the view of the healthcare professionals who may have involvement in head and neck cancer (GP’s, Dentists, Ear Nose and Throat Surgeons, and Maxillo/Facial Surgeons) so they will be interviewed and asked about how much they know and what they think their role is in diagnosing head and neck cancer. They will also be asked about how prepared they feel the patient is to hear the word cancer.
It is hoped that these interviews will allow an insight into what may be causing patients to delay seeking help so that future work can concentrate on removing these barriers so that we can encourage people to seek help earlier and hopefully improve their chances of survival.REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NE/0368
Date of REC Opinion
6 Feb 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion