PR - Symptom evaluation in breast cancer patients during radiotherapy

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Evaluation of pain, fatigue, anxiety and depression in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: A pilot study

• IRAS ID

  195550

• Contact name

  Emma Briggs

• Contact email

  emma.briggs@kcl.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  King's College London

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 10 months, 3 days

• Research summary

  This research aims to evaluate pain, fatigue, anxiety and depression in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Although breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer in women in the United Kingdom with 44,540 new cases being diagnosed in 2013, there is a paucity of evidence surrounding the experiences of women with regards to these symptoms, specifically during the radiotherapy period. No previous work has established whether these problems persist after radiotherapy. The early identification of these symptoms may help to improve the overall of quality of life and the patient’s experience during radiotherapy treatment.

  Many patients treated for breast cancer can suffer from adverse effects which can be due to the disease and/or the treatments. For example, pain is experienced by 44-64% patients with breast cancer. Pain may be caused by post-surgical wound pain, procedural pain, breast pain and skin reactions from ionizing radiation. Pain can co-exist with other symptoms such as fatigue, depression and anxiety.

  This pilot study will invite women with breast cancer attending the radiotherapy department at Charing Cross Hospital, to participate in the study. We will use questionnaires to explore the pain and associated symptoms over the course of the patient’s radiotherapy treatment. Participants will be invited to complete three questionnaires at 4 time points:

  • During the 1st week of radiotherapy,
  • At the mid-point of radiotherapy,
  • In the final week of radiotherapy
  • Six months following the completion of radiotherapy.

  Patients will normally attend for 20 to 30 daily radiotherapy treatments (Monday to Friday).

  The following validated questionnaires will be used at all time points:

  - Brief Pain Inventory - short form
  - PainDETECT
  - Fatigue Symptom Inventory
  - Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

  In addition, at final time point the participants will also be asked to complete a questionnaire to assess their information and support needs during radiotherapy.

• REC name

  South East Scotland REC 01

• REC reference

  16/SS/0066

• Date of REC Opinion

  29 Mar 2016

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion