LIBERATE Phase 1: Qualitative interview study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring quality of life & routes to support in secondary breast cancer: A qualitative interview study of patients & professionals
IRAS ID
243994
Contact name
Kathleen Kane
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
Living Better with Advanced Breast Cancer (LIBERATE)
Exploring quality of life and routes to support in secondary breast cancer: A qualitative interview study of patients and professionals
The Breast Cancer Research Gap Analysis highlighted a pressing need for research focused on the lived experiences of secondary breast cancer, in order to inform and improve practice. Quality of life (QOL) is a central concern for those living with this advanced and incurable stage of disease, yet is frequently compromised for survival benefit. Many patients manage ongoing issues secondary to both disease and treatment, often in the absence of supportive resources.
Overall, this research, funded by Breast Cancer Now, aims to explore issues affecting the QOL of women living with secondary breast cancer, to guide the development of an online supportive intervention tailored to their care and support needs.
This first phase will apply qualitative methods to inform the content of the intervention, which will bring together self-reported items and self-management advice. Interviews will be conducted with approximately 30 patients living with secondary breast cancer, recruited from both hospital and charitable support settings. Diversity in age, treatment experiences and time since diagnosis will be sought, to ensure the patient narrative is as wide-reaching and representative as possible. A range of professionals involved in the care and support of women with secondary breast cancer (approximately 10) will also be separately interviewed, to gain additional insight into the unique and varied needs of these patients.
This phase one qualitative interview study will be conducted over a 6 month period, incorporating approximately 40 interviews of patients and professionals, transcription of audio-recordings and thematic analysis of data, with emerging themes guiding the next phase of research.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/YH/0199
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion