Macmillan Research Unit Showcase: Helping people to live with cancer through treatment and beyond

Foster, C., Hopkinson, J. and Wright, D. (2005) Macmillan Research Unit Showcase: Helping people to live with cancer through treatment and beyond. 4th Annual Scholarship Conference of the School of Nursing and Midwifery - Developing Partnerships: Research, Practice and Education, University of Southampton, UK. 12 Jul 2005.

Abstract

Aims and objectives: To provide an overview of ongoing research activity in the Macmillan Research Unit at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Southampton.
Brief outline of the showcase: The purpose of this showcase is to overview the ongoing activity in the Macmillan Research Unit [MRU]. The MRU sits within the Cancer Palliative and End of Life Care Research Group. The overall aim of the Unit is to develop a programme of research into issues of concern to people affected by cancer from the point of diagnosis, through treatment and beyond. We will present examples of ongoing work.
The Macmillan Listening Study: Listening to the views of people affected by cancer about cancer research
David Wright is leading this innovative study. By participating in this study cancer patients and carers have an opportunity to voice their own views about cancer research. The two aims of the study are: • To explore the views people affected by cancer have about cancer research • To identify the research priorities of people affected by cancer Using focus groups, some 200 patients across the UK are participating in a study that is co-led by people affected by cancer and designed to elicit the priorities for research that people affected by cancer believe to be important. Patients from marginalised groups are being targeted to participate in a second phase of focus groups and include: patients from minority ethnic groups, older people, teenagers, people with advanced disease, and patients with cancer sites often excluded from studies.
Macmillan study of weight loss and eating difficulties in people with advanced cancer
Jane Hopkinson is developing this important work. A systematic literature review (Phase I) and an exploratory study (Phase II) have revealed that weight loss and eating difficulties are experienced as troublesome by the majority of people with advanced cancer. However, little is known about how people can best be helped to live with these symptoms. Indeed, it is widely assumed that nothing can be done, as to date pharmacological and nutritional interventions have been found to be of limited value in arresting or reversing the symptoms. Yet the Phase II exploratory work found reasons for distress in consequence of weight loss and eating difficulties that may be amenable to intervention. The next stage of this work is to assess the value of a new approach, to include the support of self-action, in response to the very difficult problems of weight loss and eating difficulties in people with advanced cancer. Supporting self management amongst adults with cancer Using systematic review techniques a small body of work has been identified relating to supporting self management amongst cancer patients. None of the studies reviewed have directly addressed supporting self-management and related studies are of poor quality. There is a clear need for work to be developed in this area. Claire Foster is developing a multi-method study to explore the potential for developing strategies to support people living with the symptoms and other health changes experienced following a diagnosis of cancer. This study will explore the ‘self-action’ taken in response to symptoms and health changes that follow from the point of a cancer diagnosis. The purpose of this exploration would be to develop an understanding of what might help people affected by cancer to sustain or enhance their personal management of the challenges faced when living with cancer.

This record has no associated files available for download.

Contributors

Download statistics