Patients’ Experiences of LIving with CANcer-associated thrombosis: the PELICAN study

Simon Noble, Hayley Prout, Annmarie Nelson Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Centre, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK Introduction: Thrombosis remains the most common preventable cause of mortality in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Whilst the prophylaxis and treatment of this con...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Noble S, Prout H, Nelson A
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2015-02-01
Series:Patient Preference and Adherence
Online Access:http://www.dovepress.com/patientsrsquo-experiences-of-living-with-cancer-associated-thrombosis--peer-reviewed-article-PPA
_version_ 1818562912425345024
author Noble S
Prout H
Nelson A
author_facet Noble S
Prout H
Nelson A
author_sort Noble S
collection DOAJ
description Simon Noble, Hayley Prout, Annmarie Nelson Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Centre, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK Introduction: Thrombosis remains the most common preventable cause of mortality in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Whilst the prophylaxis and treatment of this condition is well understood, the patient experience and subsequent behavioral factors are not. Methods: Patients receiving treatment for cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) were interviewed about their experiences of CAT within the context of their cancer journey. Twenty interviews were transcribed and analyzed using framework analysis. Results: Chemotherapy patients were well informed about the risks of febrile neutropenia, how to recognize it, and when to seek medical attention. However, they had limited knowledge about CAT and received no information about the condition. Red flag symptoms suggestive of CAT were attributed to chemotherapy or the underlying cancer, resulting in delayed presentation to hospital, and diagnosis. The CAT journey was considered a distressing one, with limited support or information, in complete juxtaposition with the treatment they received for their cancer. Patients felt there was little ownership for the management of CAT, which further added to their distress. Conclusion: CAT is a common occurrence and patients view their experiences of it within the context of their overall cancer journey. However, patients receive little information to help recognize CAT and access timely treatment on the development of symptoms. Whilst other cancer complications have clear treatment pathways, thrombosis does not appear to have been afforded the same priority. A proactive approach to increase patient awareness, coupled with established CAT pathways is likely to reduce mortality, morbidity, and long-term psychological distress. Keywords: venous thromboembolism, qualitative, patient journey, low-molecular-weight heparin, patient experience
first_indexed 2024-12-14T01:09:57Z
format Article
id doaj.art-aa7a152e6f9d4c06a46e3033fa60a6ce
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1177-889X
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-14T01:09:57Z
publishDate 2015-02-01
publisher Dove Medical Press
record_format Article
series Patient Preference and Adherence
spelling doaj.art-aa7a152e6f9d4c06a46e3033fa60a6ce2022-12-21T23:22:48ZengDove Medical PressPatient Preference and Adherence1177-889X2015-02-012015default33734520613Patients’ Experiences of LIving with CANcer-associated thrombosis: the PELICAN studyNoble SProut HNelson ASimon Noble, Hayley Prout, Annmarie Nelson Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Centre, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK Introduction: Thrombosis remains the most common preventable cause of mortality in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Whilst the prophylaxis and treatment of this condition is well understood, the patient experience and subsequent behavioral factors are not. Methods: Patients receiving treatment for cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) were interviewed about their experiences of CAT within the context of their cancer journey. Twenty interviews were transcribed and analyzed using framework analysis. Results: Chemotherapy patients were well informed about the risks of febrile neutropenia, how to recognize it, and when to seek medical attention. However, they had limited knowledge about CAT and received no information about the condition. Red flag symptoms suggestive of CAT were attributed to chemotherapy or the underlying cancer, resulting in delayed presentation to hospital, and diagnosis. The CAT journey was considered a distressing one, with limited support or information, in complete juxtaposition with the treatment they received for their cancer. Patients felt there was little ownership for the management of CAT, which further added to their distress. Conclusion: CAT is a common occurrence and patients view their experiences of it within the context of their overall cancer journey. However, patients receive little information to help recognize CAT and access timely treatment on the development of symptoms. Whilst other cancer complications have clear treatment pathways, thrombosis does not appear to have been afforded the same priority. A proactive approach to increase patient awareness, coupled with established CAT pathways is likely to reduce mortality, morbidity, and long-term psychological distress. Keywords: venous thromboembolism, qualitative, patient journey, low-molecular-weight heparin, patient experiencehttp://www.dovepress.com/patientsrsquo-experiences-of-living-with-cancer-associated-thrombosis--peer-reviewed-article-PPA
spellingShingle Noble S
Prout H
Nelson A
Patients’ Experiences of LIving with CANcer-associated thrombosis: the PELICAN study
Patient Preference and Adherence
title Patients’ Experiences of LIving with CANcer-associated thrombosis: the PELICAN study
title_full Patients’ Experiences of LIving with CANcer-associated thrombosis: the PELICAN study
title_fullStr Patients’ Experiences of LIving with CANcer-associated thrombosis: the PELICAN study
title_full_unstemmed Patients’ Experiences of LIving with CANcer-associated thrombosis: the PELICAN study
title_short Patients’ Experiences of LIving with CANcer-associated thrombosis: the PELICAN study
title_sort patients rsquo experiences of living with cancer associated thrombosis the pelican study
url http://www.dovepress.com/patientsrsquo-experiences-of-living-with-cancer-associated-thrombosis--peer-reviewed-article-PPA
work_keys_str_mv AT nobles patientsrsquoexperiencesoflivingwithcancerassociatedthrombosisthepelicanstudy
AT prouth patientsrsquoexperiencesoflivingwithcancerassociatedthrombosisthepelicanstudy
AT nelsona patientsrsquoexperiencesoflivingwithcancerassociatedthrombosisthepelicanstudy