Psychosocial outcomes in women at familial breast cancer risk 2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Psychosocial and physical outcomes in women at increased familial breast cancer risk - Questionnaire
IRAS ID
190218
Contact name
Lynda Wyld
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 17 days
Research summary
Breast cancer affects over 40 000 women per year in the UK; 5% of cases are thought to be due to carriage of one of the powerful breast cancer genes. Carriers have an elevated risk of developing breast cancer, with up to an 85% risk of developing the disease by age 70. In addition the age at which the cancer occurs in these gene carriers is, on average, 20 years earlier than in women who develop sporadic cancer.
Predictive testing of at-risk women is possible, enabling at-risk individuals to take steps to reduce their risk of dying from the disease. For example with more frequent screening or risk-reduction surgery (prophylactic mastectomy).
Limited qualitative research is available that specifically explores the attitudes of such women in the United Kingdom.
This study will focus on the psychosocial and physical aspects of coping with an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Management choices will be discussed. Cancer-related anxiety, body image, close relationships and the impact/potential impact of prophylactic mastectomy will also be considered. A questionnaire derived from earlier work was developed and validated by focus group assessment. This will be sent to a cohort of women who have agreed to be sent a questionnaire.
We hope by these means to gain a comprehensive insight into the needs of a large number of these women to greater understand the outcomes of increased familial risk of breast cancer.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EM/0138
Date of REC Opinion
19 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion