Patient experience of gynaecological cancer treatment induced menopause

The outcomes for women’s (gynaecological) cancers of the ovary, womb (uterus) and cervix are significantly improving. However, cancer treatments often result in abrupt menopause, negatively affecting quality of life. Cancer care has generally focussed on cancer treatment. As these treatments improve, it is important that we address quality of life issues, such as menopause. The quality of menopause care nationally and internationally has not been consistent and often neglected. Furthermore, there have been documented differences in access to menopause care and treatments amongst women from ethnic monitories. This study will be the first study to specifically address women’s experience of menopause induced by gynaecological cancer treatments. We will invite women who have been affected by cancer treatment induced menopause from two cancer centres in London to partake in individual 45-60 minute interviews. We will involve women from diverse backgrounds to represent a range of experiences. The participants will be asked details about their menopause experience and how this impacted all aspects of their lives. We will also ask them to identify the challenges they experienced in accessing menopause care. These challenges will then be discussed in our focus group with patients and stakeholders. We will ask the focus group to suggest and prioritise solutions to these challenges.