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Chief Investigator - Dr Valerie Shilling

Co-Investigator - Prof Dame Lesley Fallowfield

Co-Investigator - Prof Val Jenkins

Researcher - Rachel Starkings

Data Manager - Shirley May

Funder: Bristol Myers Squibb

PROACT

This research is about measuring the impact of cancer and its treatment on patients and their informal caregivers (e.g. spouse, partner, family member, close friend). Having cancer can affect many aspects of life such as finances, work status and patients' own caring roles with family or friends. It is important to understand these broader implications of disease and treatment. Not only could this inform decision-making about treatment options but would also highlight the types of support required by both patients and caregivers. There is however a need for well validated measures to do so.

The aim of the PROACT studies is to develop, evaluate and validate two scales; one measuring patient quality of survival, incorporating these broader impacts and one measuring impact for informal caregivers.

The first stage was to conduct two systematic reviews of existing patient reported outcomes (PROs); one in patients with cancer, the other in impact on caregivers. We then conducted two qualitative interview studies with patients with advanced cancer and their nominated primary informal caregiver to inform the development of the scales. In the third study, we 'tested' our new questionnaires in a preliminary evaluation and validation study with 135 patients and 110 caregivers. Both questionnaires performed well in this initial evaluation.

We then ran another large validation study with a new group of patients and informal caregivers, including patients with different types and stages of cancer. This next stage in validation is essential to ensure that the questionnaires are suitable for use in future research and practice across different types and stages of cancer.

EMAIL: adminshore-c@sussex.ac.uk PHONE: 01273 873019 TWITTER: https://twitter.com/SussexSHORE_C LOCATION: MAP