The experiences of people with head and neck cancer post treatment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The experiences of people with head and neck cancer post treatment- a qualitative study exploring the treatment and rehabilitation journey of patients in South East London.
IRAS ID
235051
Contact name
Sasha Scambler
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 0 days
Research summary
Head and neck cancers [HNC] are the sixth most common group of cancers worldwide, accounting for 4% of all cancers. Because of their location and the effects of management they have a significant impact on quality of life including eating, speaking and social interaction. Guy’s and St Thomas’ Trust is the cancer hub for services in south east London and includes a community head and neck cancer team [CHANT]. This network has led the way in developing a care pathway which includes community support and is one of only two in the country. It is important to learn from patients experiences of living with this condition and the care received. At the present time the services provided by CHANT are only available to patients resident in the six local boroughs and patients receiving care within the hospital have access to CHANT services. The aim of the first part of this research is to explore people’s expectations, experiences and understanding of the treatment and rehabilitation options available to them once a diagnosis of oral cancer has been received and to compare the experiences of those with, and without, access to specialist rehabilitative care post treatment.
The second arm of the project aims to explore the day to day experiences of people with Human papilloma virus (HPV) related Head and Neck cancer, a rapidly growing subgroup of patients with a very different profile and risk history to traditional head and neck cancer patients. This part of the study will aim to understand how patients make sense of their diagnosis and treatment from symptom recognition, through treatment to rehabilitation, and how they adapt to life post treatment and after rehabilitation exploring what their needs are and if they are being met within current service provision.REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0256
Date of REC Opinion
7 Aug 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion