Women's experiences of follow-up for ovarian cancer (Version 1.0)

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Women's experiences of surveillance following first line treatment for ovarian cancer.

• IRAS ID

  129880

• Contact name

  Gordon Rustin

• Contact email

  grustin@nhs.net

• Sponsor organisation

  East & North Hertfordshire NHS Trust

• Research summary

  The proposed study seeks to explore experiences of women after initial treatment for ovarian cancer, focusing particularly on the follow-up period. Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynaecological cancer in the UK with the majority of cases diagnosed at an advanced stage and hence resulting in a high likelihood of recurrence (cancer coming back). Follow-up usually involves routine blood tests measuring a tumour-marker CA-125, which can detect recurrence months before clinical signs and symptoms develop. However, recent research has shown that if recurrence occurs there is no survival benefit in starting treatment earlier (based on an increase in CA-125) and that further treatment can be safely delayed until clinical signs and symptoms develop. This new finding has changed the way that women with ovarian cancer are followed up and the time at which they are offered further treatment.
  An interpretive phenomenological approach will be used to explore the experiences of women during the follow-up period for ovarian cancer. Women, who have been treated for ovarian cancer are being followed up in a cancer centre that has adopted this new practice, will be invited to participate and attend an interview. It is proposed that 8 to 10 interviews will be conducted in a private room at the cancer centre and each interview will take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. Interviews will be tape recorded and analysed using a method called interpretative phenomenological analysis which will provide a detailed examination of the participants’ personal lived experience. Results from the proposed study could potentially give insight into women’s follow-up needs after treatment for ovarian cancer. As a result, this could help healthcare professionals to inform their practice and enhance interventions to address any needs identified. Moreover, this study might help to instigate and yield further research in this area.

• REC name

  London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  13/LO/1341

• Date of REC Opinion

  8 Nov 2013

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion