Delayed versus Immediate symmetrisation for women with breast cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Delayed versus Immediate symmetrisation for women with breast cancer: Qualitative interviews
IRAS ID
332471
Contact name
Emma MacInnes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 19 days
Research summary
55,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed annually in the UK and disease free survival has increased significantly. Survivorship issues include treatment-related side effects which affect quality of life. Women with large volume breast cancers often require surgery that results in significant size difference between breasts. Some degree of difference is normal, but when significant size differences makes bra-wear difficult, with significant weight differences between sides, and difficulty finding clothes that fit, the negative impact on quality of life can be considerable.
Women are often offered symmetrisation surgery in these circumstances. This can be performed at the time of the cancer operation, (immediate symmetrisation), or after an interval as a delayed procedure. There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches. Immediate symmetrisation requires a lot of decision making at the time of a cancer diagnosis, putting women through a greater degree of surgical stress by undergoing bilateral surgery. If women need radiotherapy, the symmetry achieved may be lost following treatment. Delayed surgery leaves women asymmetrical for an uncertain period of time, bringing difficulties of body image impact of asymmetry that is well documented. Further time off work is needed for symmetrisation surgery.
This study aims to explore experiences reported by women, focusing on quality of life, following immediate or delayed breast symmetrisation after cancer surgery. Collecting views helps us identify any perceived difference in quality of life between the methods. Patients previously diagnosed with breast cancer who underwent cancer surgery with either immediate or delayed symmetrisation surgery will be invited to an interview; maximum length 1 hour. This retrospective approach is pragmatic due to the study having an imposed limited timeframe.
The planned study duration is 12 months.
Primary aim: To assess the effects on quality of life of immediate vs. delayed symmetrisation surgery from the perspective of patients.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/YH/0288
Date of REC Opinion
9 Jan 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion