Impact on quality of life of long-term ototoxicity in cancer survivors
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Long-term ototoxicity in cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy and the impact on quality of life: mixed methods questionnaire and interview study.
IRAS ID
246724
Contact name
David Baguley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 30 days
Research summary
The medical and technological advances in cancer research have caused a decline in cancer deaths in recent decades. Due to this increase in survival rates, many face long-term physical and psychological challenges in survivorship. Cancer survivors may experience altered body image and changes in sexual health and energy levels in addition to distress, anxiety, the fear of recurrence and the chronic side effects of their treatment.The need to research the long-term effects of chemotherapy and the impact they have on quality of life is crucial.
There is a need to broaden research beyond survival rates and address the need for support for those who are adapting to a life after cancer. Survivors are left with often permanent and possible life-debilitating effects from treatment. To date, there has been little research on the specific late effects of chemotherapy and the associated impact on quality of life.
Platinum-based chemotherapy, although highly effective, is known to cause ototoxicity, presenting often as permanent high frequency hearing loss and tinnitus. Hearing loss and tinnitus are associated with a higher risk of depression, social isolation and anxiety. Hearing loss and tinnitus caused by cancer treatment can be responsible for people experiencing significant difficulties in communication, which can result in reduced speech understanding. The quality of social interactions for a person with hearing loss and tinnitus is diminished as taking part in conversations becomes challenging. This is particularly problematic as it means that the quality of life of these cancer survivors is reduced.
This project aims to explore, in depth, the burden of hearing loss and tinnitus on cancer survivors. Using semi-structured interviews, audiograms and a variety of validated questionnaires, the specific impact ototoxicity has on quality of life will be investigated.REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/EM/0044
Date of REC Opinion
28 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion