Exploring views associated with smoking and radiotherapy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative study exploring views associated with smoking behaviour in head and neck and lung cancer patients receiving radiotherapy with curative intent.
IRAS ID
185985
Contact name
Susan Williamson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 2 days
Research summary
The occurrence of lung cancer and head and neck cancer is high in the North West of England compared to the rest of the UK. One of the main causes of these types of cancer is smoking tobacco, and rates of smoking are also high in the North West of England. A common treatment for lung cancer and head and neck cancer is radiotherapy. However, this treatment can cause side effects which can be severe, and side effects are often made worse if the patient smokes tobacco during their treatment. Smoking tobacco can also reduce the effectiveness of radiotherapy, especially for early stage lung cancer patients. A number of factors are associated with continued smoking in cancer patients, broadly categorised as physiological, social, and psychological. However, we can identify no studies which explore the reasons why patients receiving radiotherapy may continue to smoke. In order to support patients who wish to stop smoking, it is important to understand what influences their decisions. This study aims to explore what influences patients to continue or discontinue tobacco smoking during radiotherapy treatment in a sample of head and neck cancer and lung cancer patients. The study will take a qualitative approach using individual semi-structured patient interviews. An interview guide has been developed, based on the available literature and with assistance of patient public partnership volunteers to ensure the questions are understandable and relevant. Content analysis will be used to find common themes in the interview data. It is anticipated that approximately 20-25 patients will be interviewed. However, sample size will be determined by reaching a point at which no new information is emerging. Patients will be recruited from trust that operates over two sites in the North West of England (The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Merseyside).
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NE/0339
Date of REC Opinion
25 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion