Support, Positioning and Organ Registration during breast cancer Radiation Therapy: SuPPORT 4 All

Mise à jour : Il y a 4 ans
Référence : ISRCTN84236905

Femme Homme

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Extrait

Background and study aims: Women diagnosed with breast cancer undergo surgical removal of the tumour (lump) as first line treatment. When only the tumour is removed and the patient still has the rest of the breast, radiotherapy is given to reduce the chance of the cancer returning. Previously, radiotherapy to the whole breast was used for this, however, to minimize unwanted side effects, radiotherapy treatments have become more complex, to target only the area affected. It has become important to ensure accurate targeting of the breast within the radiotherapy beam. Currently there are no devices in use that will allow radiation therapists to position a patient’s breast accurately to target treatment. Poor targeting can lead to unwanted side effects. Furthermore, in most radiotherapy departments women undergoing breast radiotherapy lie on the treatment bed naked from the waist upwards while up to 4 staff (including men) adjust their position in preparation for treatment, which can cause stress in the patient. This study aims to develop a support bra that will allow accurate positioning of the breast on a day to day basis, which is acceptable to patients and helps to maintain modesty during treatment. The aim of this first phase is to identify the requirements of patients and staff for a support bra as well as testing a range of materials that could be used for this. The work undertaken in this phase will be followed by the development of a prototype (test product) that will then undergo testing before patients are able to test it. Who can participate? Members of staff who have experience of treating or planning radiotherapy for breast cancer and patients who have had a breast lump surgically removed (but still have the rest of the breast) and underwent radiotherapy for breast cancer. Patients were female and over the age of 18 years. What does the study involve? Patients will be asked to participate in a focus group with other patients to discuss their experience of radiotherapy and to give their views on what a support bra for radiotherapy should look like and how it could be designed. As part of the study patients will be asked to keep a personal journal about their experience during their radiotherapy treatment. Staff participants will be asked to participate in one to one interviews to discuss their view of how a support bra should be designed. The radiotherapy treatment of participants will not be altered in any way. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? This study is an opportunity to contribute to the development of a support bra that could improve the modesty of patients undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer. There are no known risks associated with this study. Where is the study run from? The study was run from two radiotherapy centres in Sheffield and Leeds; Sheffield was the lead centre. When is study starting and how long is it expected to run for? This phase of the study started in August 2011 and ran until November 2011. Participants for this phase were recruited for 3 months from August 2011. Who is funding the study? Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Who is the main contact? Dr Heidi Probst [email protected]


Critère d'inclusion

  • Breast Cancer

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