The psychosocial impact of a HPV-related head and neck cancer diagnosis on patients and their partners
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The psychosocial impact of a HPV-related head and neck cancer diagnosis on patients and their partners
IRAS ID
144658
Contact name
Rachael Dodd
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Data Registration Number, Z6364106/2014/10/27
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
The causal role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has been well established through studies worldwide (Mehanna et al, 2010). HPV is detected in 2/3 of oropharyngeal cancers (American Cancer Society, 2013). Studies have shown HPV-OSCC to be evident worldwide and rates are expected to rise (Chaturvedi et al, 2008) with numbers in the US set to reach more than the numbers of cervical cancer cases by 2020 if the current trend continues (Chaturvedi et al, 2011). Risk factors are thought to be a greater lifetime number of sexual and oral sex partners (Blomberg et al, 2011).
The cervical cancer literature has demonstrated that a HPV diagnosis has the potential to causes feelings of stigma and shame in addition to the anxiety and health concerns usually associated with abnormal cervical screening results (McCaffery et al, 2006). The diagnosis of HPV-OSCC imparts not only a cancer diagnosis, but also the diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection. To date, there has been little research examining the impact of such a diagnosis on both the patient and their partner. This research will aim to explore the impact of being diagnosed with HPV-OSCC on both the patient and the patient’s partner, using qualitative interviews. The research will also explore experiences of the interaction between patients, their partners, and health professionals.
To explore the impact of a diagnosis of HPV-OSCC on patients and their partners, qualitative interviews allowing the participants to speak freely and be prompted with a topic guide will be conducted. Basic demographic details such as age, gender, marital status, ethnicity will be collected from patients and their partners using a short questionnaire to assess the similarity of the group and establish whether they know they have been tested for HPV.REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0803
Date of REC Opinion
9 Jun 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion