Patient’s experience of menopausal symptoms post chemotherapy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patient’s experience of menopausal symptoms post chemotherapy treated for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia
IRAS ID
312502
Contact name
Kam Singh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 23 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
It is well documented how cancer treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy can cause temporary or permanent menopause. There are many studies exploring menopausal symptoms for patients treated for other cancers, but no such research has been undertaken for women diagnosed with Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). This rare cancer is derived from a pregnancy event and patients are treated with curative intent. Depending on the intensity of the treatment, some women undergo several months of arduous chemotherapy with some leading to temporary ovarian suppression. Patients undergoing cancer treatments have reported menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, achy joints, fatigue, tiredness, weight gain, difficulty sleeping, poor concentration, vaginal dryness, mood swings and loss of confidence; these symptoms can continue for several months post completion of their treatment. As the specialist centre for GTN in the North of the UK, it is important to enquire what symptoms our group of patients are having. The aim of the study is to find out what menopausal symptoms these women are having, how they are managing and explore how we as health professionals are supporting them. The study aims to have 10 participants who received multi agent chemotherapy. Postal surveys using Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS) questionnaire followed up by semi-structured telephone interviews will be conducted; each interview will be digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis will be used to generate in depth descriptions of the patients experiences. The analysis will also be based on GCS and its sub scores, carried out by SPSS version as well as framework Analysis Technique. The findings will enable health care professionals working closely with this unique group of patients to gain some understanding of the patient perspective; recommendations will be made to improve the support and provision of care these patients receive after their treatment has completed.Summary of Results
Objectives: To explore the menopausal symptoms patient’s experience post chemotherapy; to ascertain what they did to help alleviate their symptoms and how the health professionals supported them and to identify potential areas for improvement for future patients.
Methods: A cross-sectional study using mixed methods of a sample of 11 women who received combination chemotherapy. Postal surveys using a validated (Greene Climacteric Scale, GCS) questionnaire followed up by semi-structured telephone interviews were used. Each interview was digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to generate descriptions of the patient's experiences. The analysis was based on GCS and its sub scores as well as framework analysis technique.
Results: The menopausal symptoms appear to be temporary, symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats subside after the return of the menses, however others are more gradual with mental health taking the longest. It is difficult to differentiate some of the symptoms from some of the side effects of chemotherapy. It is unclear if medication or complementary therapies are helpful. Patients do not retain the information given to them at discharge on the potential symptoms. They require support and advice during the initial weeks after treatment.
Conclusion: We need to better prepare our patients for their recovery; considering the needs of each patient and tailoring the support to meet their individual needs. The provision of how information is given needs improving to ensure patients reiterate the information they receive at discharge. Recommendations are made to improve the service by developing an information booklet with evidence-based medication, along with the opportunity to have more frequent follow up clinics.REC name
West of Scotland REC 4
REC reference
22/WS/0062
Date of REC Opinion
6 May 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion