‘We need to talk’; Patient experiences of radiotherapy for gynaecological cancers
Daniel Hutton ,
United Kingdom
PD-0738
Abstract
‘We need to talk’; Patient experiences of radiotherapy for gynaecological cancers
Authors: Daniel Hutton1, Lisa Ashmore2, Mette Kragh-Furbo3, Lorraine Salisbury4, Lynda Appleton5, Hilary Stewart3, Vicky Singleton2
1North West Radiotherapy Operational Delivery Network, North West Radiotherapy Operational Delivery Network, Manchester, United Kingdom; 2Lancaster University , Medicine, Lancaster, United Kingdom; 3Lancaster University, Medicine, Lancaster, United Kingdom; 4Clatterbridge Cancer Centre , Radiotherapy, Liverpool, United Kingdom; 5Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Radiotherapy, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Purpose or Objective
Radical radiotherapy for gynaecological cancers is extremely challenging for patients. The long term effects of treatment are inadequately researched and discussed. This work increases knowledge and understanding of how radiotherapy impacts on social, personal and sexual lives during and after radiotherapy. This increased insight facilitates conversations between patients and professionals.
Material and Methods
A multi-method approach was undertaken:
Patients over 18 years, undergoing radiotherapy for gynaecological cancers were recruited via two routes:
1. In-person during treatment review appointments at a cancer centre in Northwest England between September 2020 and August 2021.
2. Online, gathering narratives from any participant who had treatment for gynaecological cancer in the UK, using adverts in Radiotherapy departments, oncology charities and social media.
The recruitment process, number of narratives and time frame for recruitment can be seen in Table 1.
Participants were invited to share experiences of undergoing radiotherapy treatment for gynaecological cancer, in the form of handwritten, voice recorded or typed narratives.
Table 1.
Results
This work will promote conversations between patients and professionals. The key themes are around treatment, life, sexual selves, late effects, dignity and communication.
The resulting book entitled “We need to talk …about radiotherapy for gynaecological cancer” brings together patient experiences in the hope that the care for people with a gynae cancer will be the best it can be for every patient. To improve future patient experiences of living with the social and personal impacts of radiotherapy
Conclusion
The patient narratives are extremely powerful and bring to life real experience and emotion. This book aims to support patients to get the best possible care. So, ‘by and for’ patients means promoting conversations about, and concrete improvements in, the care experienced by those undergoing radiotherapy.
This insight from a patient's perspective is invaluable and will cause professionals to reflect on their practice.
We hope that this book will encourage conversations about some of the less well discussed aspects of treatment, care and life during and after radiotherapy.