
"I am glad that taking part in a trial might help others on their own cancer journey.”
This study looked at what information was most important for doctors to discuss with people before they decided whether to have surgery. It was for people with for mouth or oropharyngeal cancer. The oropharyngeal area is the top of the throat (pharynx) just behind the mouth.
Doctors talk to patients every day and give them lots of information. But when this study was done there hadn’t been much research looking at what they actually discuss.
It is important that patients get all the information they need before they agree to have any treatment. Once they have all the information, they can make a decision about whether they want to go ahead or not. This is called informed consent.
The research team running this study looked at the information doctors give to people who are due to have surgery for mouth or oropharyngeal cancer. They talked to patients, carers and health care professionals. They also read patient information leaflets and results of other research studies.
The aim of the study was to develop a list of things for doctors to use as a starting point when they are talking to patients.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Dr Barry Main
NIHR Clinical Research Network: Cancer
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
University of Bristol
Freephone 0808 800 4040
"I am glad that taking part in a trial might help others on their own cancer journey.”