ROBI study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the Role Of Body Image in treatment decision making and post-treatment regret in men following prostatectomy (surgery) for localised prostate cancer (ROBI study). A mixed method study.
IRAS ID
246944
Contact name
Diana Harcourt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of West of England
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 9 days
Research summary
A study exploring the role of body image in treatment decision making and post-treatment regret in men following prostatectomy for localised prostate cancer.\n\nProstate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men in the UK. Men with early-stage (organ-confined) prostate cancer are offered several treatment options, including surgery, radiotherapy, and active surveillance. \nSurgery involves removal of the prostate gland. This can cause damage to the sexual and bladder nerves, which can result in some men experiencing erectile problems, penile shrinkage, and incontinence. These problems can affect men’s quality of life, but at present, there is limited understanding of how such problems affect how men feel about their own body. Understanding the true extent of the problems about how men feel about their body after surgery will encourage healthcare professionals to help men properly consider all options available before making a decision.\n\nAll men who have had surgery at Southmead Hospital in the last four years for organ-confined prostate cancer will be approached to complete a body image questionnaire. A selection of eight to ten men with lowest, medium and highest score will be interviewed.\nThe interview will explore two main aspects, \n●When men chose surgery did they consider potential changes to their body?\n●In view of the problems that men are experiencing and changes in their body do they regret having surgery?\n\nThis study will help us understand whether possible changes to their body function is something that is important to men when considering surgery for prostate cancer. The findings will inform us on where interventions need to be made. This could include educating men during decision making or setting up of services to help men to cope following surgery, or encouraging clinicians to extensively explore options with patients to make more tailored informed treatment choices.\n\n\n
REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SW/0197
Date of REC Opinion
15 Oct 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion