Fear of Disease Progression in Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Anxiety and Fear of disease progression among patients who had been diagnosed with an oral potentially malignant disease (OPMD)
IRAS ID
342718
Contact name
Riham Eltayib
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Dundee
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The purpose of this study is to explore the variety of emotions experienced by patients with potentially malignant oral lesions or conditions. These lesions are asymptomatic and are picked up on routine examination by the patients dentist. Some oral diseases, such as lichen planus, can be painful and also have around a 2% risk of developing in to cancer. Those lesions with a high risk of malignant change are surgically removed, whilst the lower risk lesions are kept under long-term follow.
This study aims to investigate the patients own perspective of the psychological impact of the diagnosis and the subsequent review process.
During the initial stages of the study, we will work with patients who have been diagnosed with an oral precancerous lesion (a lesion in isolation or related to a condition) identified on a specialist clinic at the Dental Hospital. There will be two groups of patients. The first will be patients who are currently being reviewed and will be able to provide their reflection on the impact of the diagnosis and treatment. The second group will be new patients who have just received a diagnosis and will be followed up for the first year of their management. Data will be collected for these two groups using a questionnaire. To gain a deeper understanding of the impact on these patients they will be invited to take part in a qualitative structured interview.
The primary aim is to explore the patient’s experiences of diagnosis and the patient’s awareness, thoughts and feelings toward their diagnosis and the possibility of progression to cancer.
A secondary aim for those who have been in follow up, we will investigate the impact of their experiences on lifestyle, and the impact of the COVID pandemic on their management, psychological status and disease management.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/NW/0135
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jun 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion