Family & Friends in Cancer Survivorship: Experiences and Support Needs
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the Experiences and Support Needs of Family & Friends in Cancer Survivorship: A Mixed Methods Approach
IRAS ID
183846
Contact name
Olinda Santin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen's University Belfast
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
There are a growing number of people living with and beyond cancer, and there are approximately 1.1 million people in the UK who care for a loved one through this journey. While the majority cope and adjust well, there are a sub-group who find it more difficult to take on and maintain this role long-term, even once their loved one has completed their cancer treatment. Cancer survivorship programmes are often directed at the patients themselves, and whilst these may benefit their family and friends who support them indirectly, they do not address their needs. Psychosocial interventions that have been designed with this group in mind have not been effective, and their is little evidence for their use, often because they do not target those who are experiencing ongoing emotional upset. This study will used a mixed methods design to to gain a deeper understanding of family and friends' experiences in cancer survivorship, the long-term implications this has for them, and how this affects their needs for support. Family and close friends who are supporting a loved one through their cancer journey, and where the loved one has either finished or is coming to the end of their treatment with a good, long-term prognosis will be invited to take part in a short questionnaire and interview to discuss their experiences, how they have coped with cancer, what they think has helped or hindered their experience, and what they would like to receive in terms of support. Participants will be identified by staff and patients from support services provided by Cancer Focus NI, and Cancer Services within the regional Northern Ireland Cancer Centre (NICC) and adjacent Macmillan Support and Information Centre (MSIC). The results from this study will go on to inform the development of future supports for this group.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
16/NI/0080
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion