Objective: This study aims to prioritise the themes identified from the three gap analyses performed by a combination of scientists, clinicians, patients and members of the public to determine areas in breast cancer care where research is lacking. We also aimed to compare the priorities of areas of agreed research need between patients, the public, clinicians and scientists.
Design: A cross-section of patients, public, clinicians and scientists completed a prioritisation exercise to rank the identified themes where research is lacking in breast cancer care.
Purpose: Dose-escalated radiation therapy is associated with better biochemical control at the expense of toxicity. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) with dose escalation to the dominant intraprostatic lesion (DIL) provides a logical approach to improve outcomes in high-risk disease while limiting toxicity. This study evaluated the toxicity and quality of life (QoL) with CyberKnife-based SBRT and simultaneous integrated boost in localized prostate cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Older adults were disproportionately affected by COVID-19, and isolation and loneliness became key risk factors for mental illness and decreased quality of life. Older adults with lived experience of dementia and their care partners experienced isolation, loneliness, anxiety and depression, already heightened due to social stigma. Reduced access to resources was a notable problem.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Internationally recognised specialist breast cancer scientists, clinicians and healthcare professionals have published breast cancer research gaps that are informing research funding priorities in the UK and worldwide. We aimed to determine the breast cancer research priorities of the public to compare with those identified by clinicians and scientists.
Design: We conducted a qualitative study and thematic analysis using 'listening events' where patients with breast cancer and public representatives used a patient's breast cancer journey to identify research themes.
Background: The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal cancer, a disease affecting younger patients, is rapidly increasing. Cetuximab, an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, has been proposed for treatment de-escalation in this setting to reduce the toxicity of standard cisplatin treatment, but no randomised evidence exists for the efficacy of this strategy.
Methods: We did an open-label randomised controlled phase 3 trial at 32 head and neck treatment centres in Ireland, the Netherlands, and the UK, in patients aged 18 years or older with HPV-positive low-risk oropharyngeal cancer (non-smokers or lifetime smokers with a smoking history of <10 pack-years).
Infective complications following breast implant surgery may result in implant removal. This causes patient distress and is costly to treat. A range of precautions is undertaken at the time of surgery to reduce infection, with varying levels of supporting evidence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: External dosimetry audits give confidence in the safe and accurate delivery of radiotherapy. The RTTQA group have performed an on-site audit programme for trial recruiting centres, who have recently implemented static or rotational IMRT, and those with major changes to planning or delivery systems.
Methods: Measurements of reference beam output were performed by the host centre, and by the auditor using independent equipment.
Background: Postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is a recognized complication of breast surgery, with a reported prevalence of 20–52 %. We investigated whether patients having immediate reconstruction (IR) reported more long-term pain compared to those having mastectomy alone (MA). We also investigated treatment factors influencing PMPS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: Therapeutic mammaplasty allows breast conservation and maintains breast cosmesis in women with larger and ptotic breasts. They are associated with more post-operative complications, potentially delaying adjuvant treatment. Our aim is to investigate the impact of therapeutic mammaplasty on the timing of adjuvant chemotherapy, compared with conventional breast conservation surgery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To examine barriers and facilitators influencing self-direction of return to mainstream work following acute mental illness.
Participants: Five individuals who had attempted return to mainstream work following acute mental illness.
Methods: In depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews with the five participants selected through purposive sampling.
Literature review and anecdotal evidence appears to suggest a variation in the number of imaging projections used to demonstrate recent injury to the wrist, dependent on which Accident and Emergency (A&E) radiology department a patient attends. Some departments routinely undertake two projections (dorsi-palmar and lateral) whilst others include a dorsi-palmar oblique projection. The aim of this research was to assess if the inclusion of the additional projection altered the sensitivity of bony injury detection.
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