The Experience of Lung Cancer Stigma [1]

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  The Experience of Lung Cancer Stigma and its Impact on Patient Outcomes

• IRAS ID

  153329

• Contact name

  Roma Maguire

• Contact email

  r.maguire@surrey.ac.uk

• Research summary

  The primary aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of lung cancer stigma and its relationship with symptoms severity and quality of life in a Scottish population. The research also aims to identify socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with lung cancer stigma and explore in-depth, the experience of lung cancer stigma in people with lung cancer. This is an important area for research as, in the US, LCS has been shown to have a negative impact on patient outcomes and quality of life while exploratory work in the UK has shown that people with lung cancer can feel stigmatized because of its strong association with smoking. Blame and stigma have been identified as contributing to the fact that the majority of people with lung cancer present in the advanced stages of their illness. The research will provide evidence of the extent of LCS in this patient group and much needed information to inform the development of patient–centred stigma interventions to improve patient outcomes.
  A total of 200 patients with lung cancer will be recruited to the study. These patients will be receiving treatment/care for lung cancer in one of two clinical sites in Scotland. All patients will be asked to complete a one-off set of 5 questionnaires: The Cataldo Lung Cancer Stigma Scale (CLCSS); Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS); The Centre for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression; Quality of Life Inventory; Clinical Demographic, Clinical and Lifestyle Questionnaire. Additional demographic and clinical data will also be collected via case note review. A sub-set of patients (n=20) will be purposively identified and interviewed on a single occasion to explore their perceptions of LCS in-depth. Interviews will be informed by the Model of Health Related Stigma in People with Lung Cancer and the responses to the CLCSS and clinical/demographic data.

• REC name

  East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  14/EE/1099

• Date of REC Opinion

  28 Aug 2014

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion