ATTITUDES-W
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating attitudes to weight management in gynaecology patients, and attitudes to weight loss and hormone treatment of endometrial cancer and atypical endometrial hyperplasia in people living with obesity
IRAS ID
347973
Contact name
Emma Crosbie
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Obesity is a condition where a person has excess body fat. In the UK, nearly three quarters of the population are living with overweight or obesity. Carrying excess body fat can increase a person's risk of developing other medical conditions including womb cancer. Usually removal of the womb (hysterectomy) would be offered, but for those living with obesity this may not be offered, as treatment due to the risks of surgery being very high or because they want to get pregnant. People living with obesity and womb cancer may be offered referral for weight loss surgery, but not all women accept this.
People living with obesity can experience discrimination because of their weight, making them less likely to go to their GP or hospital appointments. We want to know if people attending gynaecology clinic appointments have experienced weight discrimination. We want to know if healthcare staff working in gynaecology departments feel appropriately trained to have discussions about weight management.
Our study involves completing an anonymous online survey to understand thoughts and feelings in three different groups. Group one involves heathcare professionals who have worked in a gynaecology outpatient clinic for at least two years. Group two involves women aged over 18 that have had an appointment in a gynaecology outpatient clinic in the past five years. Group three involves women living with obesity, aged over 18 years, that have been diagnosed with pre-cancer or cancer of the womb. At the end of the survey, all will be asked if they wish to join an interview to discuss their thoughts and attitudes in greater detail.
We want every contact with a healthcare team to count. The results of this study could improve patient health and wellbeing and reduce treatment costs for the NHS.REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EM/0070
Date of REC Opinion
17 Mar 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion