Abstract
IntroductionBreast cancer is a global health problem with 2.09 million cases of breast cancer diagnosed worldwide in 2018. With an increase in breast cancer survival attention has now focussed on the impact treatment side effects can have on the quality of life for women during survivorship. The aim of the SuPPORT 4 All project is to develop a support bra for use during radiotherapy, that can reduce normal tissue toxicity (for women with larger breasts) and provide accuracy, dignity and modesty for all women. The first stage of the project involved a co-design process to understand the current patient experience where no support bra or modesty device is used. MethodA participatory co-design methodology was adopted. Workshops were held with patient representatives (n = 9) to seek understanding of experience during radiotherapy; a total of three workshops over 4 h. The workshops were audio recorded and framework analysis was adopted to identify key patient experiences. ResultsTwelve categories and twenty-six sub categories were identified specific to patient experience. Patient concerns focussed on information provision, Healthcare Practitioner (HCP) knowledge of breast lymphoedema, lack of choice, experiences of being naked, and feelings of disempowerment. ConclusionsA number of areas were identified that had negative effects on overall patient experience. Implications for practicePractitioners should consider patient dignity when configuring services to support patient needs regarding undressing, outside or inside the linear accelerator room. Additionally, practitioners should have an understanding of the impact permanent tattoos may have on some patients’ wellbeing and the impact that breast lymphoedema has on patient quality of life. Practitioners should also consider methods to encourage patient empowerment during radiotherapy; supporting patient self-monitoring of side-effects may be one way to facilitate this.
Highlights
Breast cancer is a global health problem with 2.09 million cases of breast cancer diagnosed worldwide in 2018
Survival from breast cancer has improved in many countries, with over 1 million women surviving the disease in 2012.2 as more women survive, attention has focussed on the impact treatment related side effects and treatment experiences can have on the quality of life for women and their ability to cope during survivorship
The results highlighted some agreement with previous research and identified some new insights on the patient experience of the breast cancer radiotherapy pathway; these are discussed under the key areas of inquiry
Summary
Breast cancer is a global health problem with 2.09 million cases of breast cancer diagnosed worldwide in 2018. With an increase in breast cancer survival attention has focussed on the impact treatment side effects can have on the quality of life for women during survivorship. Survival from breast cancer has improved in many countries, with over 1 million women surviving the disease in 2012.2 as more women survive, attention has focussed on the impact treatment related side effects and treatment experiences can have on the quality of life for women and their ability to cope during survivorship. There is a range of research that focusses on patient's lived experiences of a breast cancer diagnosis, perceptions of treatment and experiences of survivorship or assessments of symptoms from radiotherapy.8e13 the research tends to focus primarily on information needs, or frequency or experience of side effects. There is little focus on the experience of attending for breast irradiation itself
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