Suzy, Sam and Jo.

A focus group about life after treatment for ER-positive breast cancer

Categories: Personal diagnosis | Primary breast cancer | ER-positive

Help researchers explore the experiences of women who have gone through breast conserving treatment for oestrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer by taking part in a focus group.

What’s the title of the study?

An exploration of the experience of life after conservative treatment (lumpectomy, radiotherapy, sentinel lymph node biopsy) for oestrogen positive breast cancer: a qualitative focus group study.

What’s the project about?

Breast conserving treatment, such as a lumpectomy, is surgery which removes the cancer but aims to keep as much of the breast as possible. 

In this project, the researchers want to understand the experience of women who’ve had breast conserving treatment for early-stage oestrogen receptor (EP) positive breast cancer. 

They want to hear about any challenges women have faced taking hormone therapy, or around body changes (especially breast lymphoedema). 

They’re holding 2 focus groups for women to share their experience. 

Who’s organising it?

Name of project lead: Grace Vallee, Hannah Muir

Job title: Master's student

Organisation: University of Stirling

Email address: gev00009@students.stir.ac.uk, ham00529@students.stir.ac.uk 

Who can take part?

You can take part if you:

  • Are over 18 years old
  • Have previously had a diagnosis of ER positive primary breast cancer
  • Are not currently having breast cancer treatment, except hormone therapy.    

Why do you want me to be involved?

In this research, the team hope to learn more about how treatments, like hormone therapy, or body changes, such as breast lymphoedema, can affect women’s mental health. This could help improve the support women receive in the future. 
 

What will you ask me to do?

If you choose to take part in this study, you will join 1 of 2 focus groups. 

One will be held in person in Forth Valley, Scotland. And the other will be an online focus group for those who do not live nearby.

The focus group will last around 1 hour. You’ll talk about your breast cancer experience, including diagnosis, treatment and support. 

There will also be discussion of the challenges you faced after your treatment, specifically the areas of hormone treatment and changes to body and body image. 

You’ll also have the chance to talk about what support you got, or needed. And ways of coping or managing the physical and emotional side effects both in the long term and in daily life.

How do I get involved?

To take part or to find out more information, please email Hannah or Grace: 

They’ll be in touch with more information about the focus groups. 

When’s the deadline?

6 July 2024

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