Quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors V2.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Psychosocial factors associated with quality of life and impact of cancer in long-term survivors of head and neck cancer.
IRAS ID
147661
Contact name
Ania Korszun
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary, University London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
As survival rates for cancer continue to improve, the number of cancer survivors in the UK is projected to rise to 3 million by 2040. Quality of Life (QoL) is thus an important treatment outcome for survivors and their healthcare needs need to be identified and met.
The incidence of Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) has increased steadily in the UK population since 1975 making it the 15th most common cancer, with 5-year survival rates in the region of 50%. For survivors, cancer is a chronic life-altering condition and many HNC patients suffer from long-term physical consequences of surgery, such as disfigurement and problems with eating, speaking, and swallowing. Several psychosocial factors can also have a profoundly negative effect on survivors' QoL, such as psychological problems, including depression and fear of recurrence, as well as social aspects, such as unemployment and social isolation. We need a greater understanding of how these factors interact and how they may differ across patient groups so that we can identify which individuals have the greatest needs.
This study will examine the psychological well-being and QoL of HNC survivors. The primary aim of this work is to improve QoL and level of function for HNC survivors. We aim to study a large sample of HNC survivors to explore in detail the underlying psychological, social and cultural factors that shape survivors’ QoL, including social support and relationships.
Participants will be HNC patients who have received treatment at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital at least 2 years ago. Patients will be invited to the study by letter and be asked to complete a questionnaire. Participants will also be given the opportunity to invite their family members and partners to take part and the survivors and partners who agree to participate will be asked to complete an additional questionnaire.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
15/NI/0009
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jan 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion