Patient-partnered Research in Investigating Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Kidney Cancer

Overview

The goal of this observational study is to gather real-world information about Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR) following surgery in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and their partners/spouses by 1) establishing a panel consisting of patients with or without partners/spouses to facilitate patient-partnered research. Furthermore, 2) Through discussions among panel members and researchers identification of the most pertinent topics related to FCR, as well as the optimal timing and methods for collecting that information in the follow-up care after surgery. Finally, to conduct a feasibility and pilot study to investigate the feasibility of the recommendations developed in 1) + 2) and assess FCR in patients with RCC following surgery and their partners/spouses. In phase 1 participants (panel members) will be asked to collaborate with researchers in the development of recommendations for FCR questions, mode of administration and timing in the follow-up care after surgically treated kidney cancer. In phase 2 participants (patients and partners) in follow-up care after surgically treated kidney cancer are asked to answer questions about FCR at specific timepoints defined by panel members and researchers in phase 1.

Rationale Previously, Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR) has been investigated in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) showing that FCR is the most common source of frustration, and the prevalence of FCR has been estimated to be 54% in patients with localized RCC. Studies in families with cancer show that approximately 50% of family caregivers experience FCR. Patient involvement in research is much requested, however, no study to date has involved patients and partners/spouses in the investigation of FCR in patients with kidney cancer and their family caregivers. Therefore, in this study the investigators will ask patients with localized kidney cancer and their partners/spouses to contribute with their perspectives on what questions to ask in the follow-up care after surgery for kidney cancer to identify FCR. For this purpose, the validated 42-item Fear of Cancer Inventory (FCRI) will be used for inspiration. A caregiver version of the FCRI exists, but has not been translated to Danish and thus translation will be conducted in this study. This study is expected to provide information to clinicians on how to comply with the European Association of Urology guideline that recommends psychological evaluation for all patients diagnosed with RCC and involvement of patients in adjuvant RCC treatment decisions. Furthermore, the investigators conduct this study to give patients with kidney cancer and partners/spouses a voice in the investigation of FCR in the clinical follow-up care after surgery. This provides an opportunity for a collaboration between patients, partners, patients associations and professional researchers to identify the most appropriate FCR questions, timing, and mode of administration to optimize patient adherence/compliance and treatment outcomes. Method The project has two phases. Phase 1: Establishment of a patient/partner panel who in collaboration with researchers will use the 5-stage Design thinking model to develop recommendations for investigating FCR in patients and their partners/spouses in follow-up care after surgically treated kidney cancer. The Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework described by Glasgow et al. will be applied for the process evaluation of recruitment and eligibility of panelists. The level of meaningful patient/partner/spouse engagement in the project will be evaluated using the Patient Engagement in Research Scale (PEIRS-22). Phase 2: The recommendations produced in phase 1 will be tested in a pilot and feasibility study along with investigation of additional factors possibly affecting fear of cancer recurrence in patients and their partners/spouses. All evaluations will be done statistically. Perspectives If the phase 2 pilot-study turns out successfully in defining FCR in patients with RCC and their partners/spouses, the researchers will seek to perform a national follow-up study, that can constitute a foundation for implementation of FCR as part of standard clinical practice, e.g. detecting when FCR reaches a level that needs interference such as psychological counselling etc.