Opportunity to help create new patient materials for prehabilitation

[OvacomeSupport]

This study has now closed. The researchers asked us to pass on the following message: "Thank you for your interest in the prehabilitation project at St Barts. Unfortunately, we have finished recruiting for the project and won’t be able to accept any new people. Thank you to everyone who has taken part – we really appreciate the support."

For general interest, here are the original details of the research:

Would you like to share your experiences of preparing for cancer treatment to help others? We have been approached by the Cancer Psychological Services team at Barts Health NHS Trust Hospitals. They have asked us to share some information with you about their current patient-focused rehabilitation project.

Prehabilitation supports people to prepare for treatment by taking steps to enhance their physical and mental health and wellbeing. This can include thinking about movement, physical activity and what you eat, as well as the potential emotional and psychological impact that preparing for cancer treatment can have.

The Cancer Psychological Services team at Barts are keen to work together with people who have been through surgery and treatment for gynaecological cancer to create materials about their experiences. They hope that these materials will be personal, relatable and useful, and will help others who are currently preparing for treatment.

The team are interested in talking to people either through one-on-one conversations (in person, by video or telephone call, or by email), or as part of a group if preferred. They will ask you to share your experiences of preparing for gynaecological cancer treatment (surgery and/or other treatments), including what helped you during this time; as well as any suggestions you have about what might help other people to prepare. These conversations will be audio recorded. They can reimburse travel costs and we can also arrange for an interpreter to be present.

You can tell them about your experiences in any way you choose, including by sharing written or spoken experiences, stories, quotes, poems, artwork or photographs. They can also create audio and video-recorded content.

The Cancer Psychological Services team at Barts invite you to give as much time to this project as you have, and to be involved in whatever way feels comfortable to you. There is no expectation of long-term commitment, and you can stop your involvement at any point. You will have the opportunity to provide feedback on any materials created before they are finalised.

Please note, the aim of this project is to hear your experiences, ideas and wisdom; it will not include the provision of psychological support. The team are aware, however, that recalling and discussing experiences of cancer treatment may have an emotional impact. All discussions and communication will be with members of Cancer Psychological Services who will take steps to support you with this.

The project is led by Clinical Psychologist Dr Abbie Unwin and Assistant Psychologist Pippa Renouf. Other members of Cancer Psychological Services are also supporting this project. If you would like to get involved or have any questions about then project, please email: [e-mail]

You can also contact the Ovacome support team if there’s anything you would like to discuss before contacting Abbie and Pippa at Barts. You can send us a message directly through this forum, email us via [e-mail] or give our support line a call on 0800 008 7054. We’re here to support you Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm.

Best wishes

Annie – Ovacome support