LGUCQ self-report tool: men's views on symptom disclosure
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does the use of a 2-sided questionnaire (LGUCQ) facilitate symptom disclosure for men after treatment for genitourinary cancer in relation to lymphoedema? An exploratory qualitative study
IRAS ID
232958
Contact name
Rhian Noble-Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Health Board
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
17/107, BCH HB R&D study registration number
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 25 days
Research summary
Research question: Does the use of a 2-sided questionnaire (LGUCQ) facilitate symptom disclosure for men after treatment for genitourinary cancer in relation to lymphoedema?
Very little is known about the possible barriers to men disclosing long-term problems of swelling and discomfort, consistent with lymphoedema, after genitourinary cancer treatment. The reasons for the current low rate of referral of men for assessment of genitourinary cancer-related lymphoedema may include, a low prevalence rate (true figures are unknown), a lack of awareness among health care professionals (HCP) and a lack of disclosure from the men in this situation. This study intends to focus on the latter. A tool for men to self-report genitourinary cancer-related lymphoedema was developed and validated by the chief investigator, Dr Rhian Noble-Jones and colleagues (Noble-Jones et al. 2014). The Lymphoedema Genitourinary Cancer Questionnaire (LGUCQ) is not yet in common use in urology/oncology outpatient clinics but is being evaluated in some services in NHS Wales. What this study seeks to explore is whether the use to questionnaire helps men to discuss with their HCP, functional difficulties or symptoms which may be lymphoedema. Early identification and management of lymphoedema is prudent since it has been shown to reduce morbidity, chronicity and psychosocial impact, therein reducing health care costs.
Men eligible for the study are 18 years and over, understand English or Welsh, able to consent and participate in telephone interview, have undergone surgery or radiotherapy likely to affect the lymph nodes for cancer of prostate, bladder, penis or testis, and those with lymph node positive disease. Eligible men will be invited to complete the questionnaire at urology/oncology follow up clinics over a 5 month period (from the date of study approval) and, if appropriate, referred to lymphoedema services.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0492
Date of REC Opinion
25 Sep 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion