Cancer cachexia workshop feasibility study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility study of a one-off workshop for patients with cancer cachexia and their carers
IRAS ID
142354
Contact name
Sally Wheelwright
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Most people with advanced cancer develop a condition called cachexia. Cachexia causes patients to lose weight uncontrollably. Patients with cachexia usually have a very poor appetite, but even those who are able to eat still lose weight because of the effects of their cancer. The weight being lost is mostly muscle. This means that patients with cachexia are weak and get tired very easily. Family or close friends often provide care but this can be very challenging and sometimes distressing because the carer can see the patient wasting away. Carers can spend a lot of time, energy and money trying to get the patient to eat more. Whatever the carer does, however, does not usually help very much and the patient continues to lose weight. This can make the carer feel powerless, upset and frustrated. Sometimes there can be arguments between the carer and the patient over food and eating and this adds to the stress. The strain of looking after a loved one can cause physical, emotional and financial difficulties for the carer.
The aim of this project is to develop a workshop to help patients and carers understand why cancer can sometimes cause weight loss, how to manage eating and weight loss problems and how to cope with feelings. A steering committee, made up of patients, carers and professionals will guide development. Other patients, carers and health care professionals will be interviewed or take part in focus groups to discuss issues including: 1)What information is needed? 2) What’s the best way of providing that information? 3)When should the workshops be held? Thirty pairs of patients and carers will attend workshops. They will complete questionnaires, and also be interviewed, before and after the workshop. This will check whether anything needs changing and whether the workshop is likely to be useful.REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0047
Date of REC Opinion
17 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion