Women’s perspectives of radiotherapy and tissue breast reconstruction

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Women’s perspectives of radiotherapy combined with deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap and transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) free flap breast reconstructions post mastectomy for breast cancer

• IRAS ID

  100063

• Contact name

  Victoria Harmer

• Contact email

  victoria.harmer@imperial.nhs.uk

• Research summary

  A surgical option for women diagnosed with breast cancer is the removal of the breast (mastectomy). When this surgery is recommended, and as long as there are no other significant health or treatment issues, the National Institute of Clinical Excellence Guidelines (2009) are that a reconstruction should also be offered. These operations can take place at the same time as the breast is removed. There are various techniques of reconstruction, and one uses skin and fat from the abdomen to make a breast mound. This extensive surgery will take at least 8 hours and requires a substantial recovery-time for the woman. Sometimes radiotherapy is recommended after surgery as part of the cancer treatment and a possible treatment-effect of this is shrinkage in or lumps developing in the reconstructed breast.
  The aim of this investigation is to investigate what women think and feel about the combination of radiotherapy on these reconstructions and any possible consequences. The results will help us develop better information about giving radiotherapy after this surgery and be able to communicate this with women.
  Three focus groups will be conducted to find out women’s thoughts of the combination of radiotherapy on these reconstructions. The content of what is discussed will be recorded, transcribed and subjected to framework analysis.
  At the end of the focus group the researcher will ask the women if they agree to be contacted by her via the telephone a week later. This would offer them the opportunity to mention any additional thoughts they had afterwards. The consent of those women who agree to participate would be gained along with the date and time of the telephone call to take place.

  Reference: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. (2009) Early and locally advanced breast cancer: diagnosis and treatment. (Clinical guideline 80.) London:
  NICE. http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/CG80NICEGuideline.pdf

• REC name

  West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  13/WM/0310

• Date of REC Opinion

  26 Jul 2013

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion