The effects of weight loss in people with cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What psychosocial support can healthcare professionals provide to patients who experience weight loss due to cancer cachexia? A qualitative study of weight loss experiences among patients with advanced cancer.
IRAS ID
202302
Contact name
Jonathan Koffman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 6 days
Research summary
Cancer cachexia results in significant weight loss for patients with advanced cancer. Approximately 80% of people with advanced cancer have cachexia and of these, around 50% experience anorexia which is characterised by poor appetite and reduced food intake. While some features of cachexia such as nausea, may be reversible by pharmacological methods, irreversible weight loss often persists. Anorexia and weight loss have profound psychosocial impact including negative emotions associated with reduced dietary intake, involuntary weight loss and the social consequences of these symptoms. Discussions around weight loss are often taboo and unacknowledged even though patients may be weighed regularly. There is a lack of discussion between patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) about why the patient loses weight and what can be done about it. The psychosocial impact of weight loss in cachexia, its meaning for patients and what psychosocial support can be given by HCPs is poorly researched.
The purpose of this study therefore is to explore the psychosocial impact of cancer cachexia in patients with advanced cancer and to understand how HCPs respond to weight loss; to discover what psychosocial support patients feel HCPs could give to those experiencing the effects of weight loss; and to develop recommendations for clinical practice.
This study is taking place at St Joseph’s Hospice, a voluntary organisation. It is a requirement of the Hospice Research Governance Committee that any research project that involves direct patient contact requires review and approval by an NHS Research Ethics Committee hence this NHS REC application.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0531
Date of REC Opinion
19 May 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion