Title of research study: Non-adherence to hormonal therapy in breast cancer survivors: a qualitative analysis of the role of sleep disturbance
What is the study about?
Women with breast cancer are prescribed hormone therapy (e.g. Tamoxifen, Anastrozole, Exemestane and Letrozole) for 5-10 years after breast cancer surgery. This reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence. However, research indicates that around 50% of women do not take their medication as prescribed. Very often, this is because of the unpleasant side-effects from the medication. Sleep disturbance is one of the most common side-effects of hormone therapy, but the specific relationship between poor sleep and taking hormone therapy as prescribed has never been explored. We would like to understand this relationship better by conducting focus groups with women who have been prescribed hormone therapy following breast cancer and who may struggle to take this medication as prescribed due to disturbed sleep.
Who’s organising it?
Dr Leanne Fleming (Principle Investigator), University of Strathclyde
What’s the criteria for taking part?
Participants must be prescribed adjuvant hormone therapy including Tamoxifen, Anastrozole, Exemestane and Letrozole as a result of breast cancer treatment. Participants must be Scottish residents and over the age of 18.
What do I need to do?
In this study, you will be asked to share you experience of taking hormone therapy and the impact of that on your sleep and other aspects of your day to day life. If you agree to participate, you will be invited to attend either an interview or a focus group, and will be given a provisional date and time via Zoom. The interview will be led by the study researcher and will take no longer than 90 minutes to complete. The discussion will be audio recorded to allow us to create a written version of the conversation (transcription), and quotes from this transcript may be used in subsequent reports which will be produced from this study but at no time will you be identifiable or identified in this recording. You will be able to request a copy of the written version of the conversation, should you require. Your contribution is completely confidential and at no time will the information you share be discussed with your medical team.
If you’d like to take part, or have any questions, please email nicola.peddie.100@strath.ac.uk
When’s the deadline?
November 30th 2020