Fear of cancer recurrence trajectory- a pilot study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Fear of cancer recurrence (FoR) trajectory during radiation treatment and follow-up into survivorship of 100 breast cancer patients-a pilot study
IRAS ID
191207
Contact name
Gerald Humphris
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of St Andrews
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
One of the most prevalent concerns cancer patients report is the fear of their cancer recurrence (FoR). This concern is responsible for increased medical surveillance and intervention service - sometimes unwarranted. In this study, we aim to collect repeated ratings of 100 breast cancer patient’s FoR over the course of their radiotherapy treatment. Over the treatment, patients will be asked to give their rating of recurrence fear so that graphical trajectories of how this fear may develop can be plotted and analysed in detail. In addition, interactions between radiotherapist and patient during weekly review appointment will be recorded and a behavioural coding system (VR-CoDES) will be used to analyse emotional expression and clinician responses. This pilot study will provide much needed information on breast cancer patients' trajectory of fears of cancer recurrence. The results will provide us with invaluable evidence of what aspects of treatment delivery and factors associated with the patient might help us understand how these insidious fears develop. Such understanding will further enable clinical teams responsible for continuing patient care following treatment to develop clearer strategies for management of FoR.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
15/ES/0188
Date of REC Opinion
11 Dec 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion