"I now know how cancer can strike anyone whatever their situation or circumstance. I hope by taking part in a trial it will help others in my position in the future.”
A study looking at a rehabilitation programme for men who have completed treatment for testicular cancer (RESTART)
Cancer type:
Testicular cancer
Status:
Results
Phase:
Pilot
This study tested a 6 week programme to give men advice and support after treatment for testicular cancer.
This study was open for men to join between January and November 2012. These results were presented as a poster at a conference in 2013.
More about this trial
Cancer and its treatment can have physical, psychological and financial effects. Of the people who do return to work after treatment, some find they can’t do as much as they could before.
Despite this most survivors of testicular cancer say they have a more positive outlook on life after their diagnosis. We also know from research that survivors of testicular cancer have a good quality of life in general.
Programmes to support people after cancer treatment (
programmes) may help them get back to normal again. There is a limited understanding of the needs of men with testicular cancer.
Researchers in this study ran a rehabilitation programme for men who had finished treatment to cure their cancer. It gave specialist advice and support about returning to work, finance, exercise, relationships and fertility.
Other similar programmes have been helpful for people with other cancers.
The aim of this pilot study was to test a rehabilitation programme for testicular cancer and use the results to improve the programme.
Summary of results
The study team found the 6 week rehabilitation programme was:
- well received by the men
- feasible to do
About this study
35 men, from 2 cancer centres, took part in the 6 week programme. Everyone completed questionnaires:
- at the start of the programme
- after the end of the programme
The questions asked about:
- their anxiety
- depression
- their
quality of life - side effects
- how they managed their cancer
Results
The team reported that attendance to the programme was good with more than 8 out of 10 men (80%) attending each session. Of the 35 men the team have the results for 32.
At the end of the programme there was a significant decrease in the men’s anxiety and depression.
The men reported:
- being able to better manage their cancer
- feeling better about the future
- that the impact of the treatment’s side effects had decreased
On average the men rated the programme as a 9 out of 10.
Conclusion
The team concluded that a rehabilitation programme such as this is feasible to do. And it is acceptable to men with testicular cancer.
This study has shown that taking part in the programme can:
- reduce anxiety and depression
- improve quality of life
Where this information comes from
We have based this summary on information from the research team. The information they sent us has been reviewed by independent specialists (peer reviewed ) but may not have been published in a medical journal. The figures we quote above were provided by the research team. We have not analysed the data ourselves.
) but may not have been published in a medical journal. The figures we quote above were provided by the research team. We have not analysed the data ourselves.Recruitment start:
Recruitment end:
How to join a clinical trial
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.
Chief Investigator
Dr Jeff White
Supported by
Macmillan Cancer Support
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
NIHR Clinical Research Network: Cancer
Freephone 0808 800 4040
Last review date
CRUK internal database number:
Oracle 9254
Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.
Ashley was diagnosed with testicular cancer when he was 28
