GI Consequences Economic Evaluation

An estimated 90,000 patients are suffering from long term gastrointestinal problems after cancer treatments, and whilst the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative have been working to develop specific pathways of care, these pathways lack in both specialised tariff funding and awareness. This study aims to assess the economic and personal impact on patients suffering from stomach and/or bowel problems after cancer treatment prior to referral to the Gastrointestinal and Nutrition Team (GIANT) at the Royal Marsden Hospital. All patients referred to the GIANT service (including private patients but excluding re referrals) will be offered participation in the study. The study will consist of a 9 page patient retrospective questionnaire, asking questions about investigations and medications prescribed over the past year, as well as costs and methods of trying to treat their symptoms themselves, and the personal cost to themselves of their symptoms through loss of work and emotional impact. As this questionnaire asks patients questions about the past year, and thus can be difficult to answer accurately, patient answers will be validated for reliability by sending a 1 page questionnaire to their GP asking the same questions about clinic visits concerning stomach/bowel problems, investigations and medications prescribed in the past year. Once this data is collected from the participants, and the study has finished, the average cost of clinical interventions, economic impact, and personal impact, will be calculated. The results from this study will be useful in helping to show the economic burden of GI symptoms, and will provide evidence as to the economic benefit of specialised clinics for the consequences of cancer treatment; highlighting the need for a nationally recognised algorithm for management.

Sex

All

Minimum age

18 Years

Maximum age

85 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age over 18 years.
* Past history of malignant disease.
* They are able to give informed consent to participate.
* Patients with longer term consequences of cancer treatment, defined as patients with symptoms referred 3 months or more after the end of their cancer treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

* They have been re-referred to the GIANT clinic, having previously been discharged following treatment.