ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S5676

RTT - Patient experience and quality of life

ESTRO 2024

Adult (≥18 years) patients (n = 170) with malignant brain tumors treated with proton therapy were followed over five years. The degree of symptom and distress were evaluated using the patient-reported Radiotherapy-Related Symptom Assessment Scale. Data from baseline (start of treatment), 1, 12-, and 60 months were analyzed using non-parametric tests. The correlation between symptoms and distress was analyzed using Spearman’s correlation.

Results:

Of the 170 patients, the levels of symptoms and distress were generally low. Fatigue increased at 1 (p=0.005) and 12 months (p=0.025) and was the most frequent symptom at all time points. Cognitive impairment increased significantly at 12 (p=0.027) and 60 months (p<0.001) and was the most distressing symptom at 60-month follow up. There were significant (p=0.009-0.001), moderate to strong (rho=0.356-0.806), correlations at all time points between symptoms and distress of fatigue, insomnia, pain, loss of appetite, dyspnea, cognitive impairment, worry, anxiety, nausea, sadness, constipation, and skin reactions.

Conclusion:

This study underscores the interplay between symptoms and distress in this patient population. Therefore, it is imperative for future research to focus on identifying effective interventions aimed at alleviating these symptoms and reducing patient distress. Such interventions have the potential to significantly enhance the quality of life for this vulnerable group of patients.

Keywords: symptom&distress, braintumor, protontherapy

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Digital Poster

Rad Chat; Using social media as a tool to support people living with and beyond cancer.

Joanna K McNamara 1 , Naman Julka-Anderson 2

1 Rad Chat, Host, Sheffield, United Kingdom. 2 Rad Chat, Host, London, United Kingdom

Purpose/Objective:

Social media is an effective tool to help to raise awareness about cancer prevention, aid early diagnosis (1) and provide support for people living with and beyond cancer (2) . Privacy is often a concern when utilising social media and misinformation being provided by non registered healthcare professionals (3,4) . Rad Chat is a multi award winning, first therapeutic radiographer led oncology podcast, designed for people living with and beyond cancer, healthcare professionals, academics and researchers. Rad Chat is listened to in over 107 countries and has on average approximately 10,000 downloads per episode. As well as the podcast, Rad Chat provides information and support via social media platforms, with over 10,000 followers across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.