Parenting with Metastatic Breast Cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Lived Experience of Parenting Whilst Living With Metastatic Breast Cancer
IRAS ID
185640
Contact name
Paula Kuzbit
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Canterbury Christ Church University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 13 days
Research summary
Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. MBC is incurable, with the primary goal of treatment to extend life and palliate symptoms while preserving quality of life.
It is not uncommon for MBC to occur in women who may still be raising children.A diagnosis of and treatment for MBC can affect the woman’s family in many ways, and as these demands are added to the normal burdens of family life, they may impair their ability to parent.
Literature suggests that health care professionals' significantly underestimate and have lack of understanding of the experiences of women parenting whilst living with MBC. The lack of understanding and insight hinders health care interventions that drive person centered care to support parenting.
Future projections suggest an increase in the diagnosis of MBC (Harding et al 2013). The advancing treatments allow women to live longer which suggests chronicity of disease rather than life threatening. Therefore the context and purpose to this study offers added value, as an increased prevalence will further expose the phenomenon.
This study wishes to recruit 5 English speaking women over the age of 18, who have been diagnosed with MBC for at least, if not longer than 9 months and are parenting children between the ages of 3 -18 years of age. Participants will be invited to participate in a one to one focused interview that will explore their lived experiences of parenting whilst living with MBC. Participants will also be invited to comment on their interview transcript and the overall narrative report.
Women will be informed of the study following screening performed by Consultant Oncologists at the Kent Oncology Centre, Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. The interviews will take place at a mutually convenient location.
This study fulfils the educational requirements of a Masters degree.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/2097
Date of REC Opinion
1 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion