ESTRO 2025 - Abstract Book

S4185

RTT - Patient experience and quality of life

ESTRO 2025

Material/Methods: A research radiographer led and coordinated all PPIE activities, facilitating communication with patient collaborators. Engagement calls were conducted using three approaches: adverts posted in the local radiotherapy late-effects clinic and social media, screening lists of past HN-rhabdomyosarcoma (HN-RMS) patients <19years having undergone HNRT, and individual patient letters were distributed, inviting participants to attend focus groups in Manchester in May and September 2023. As the topic nature had potential to evoke sensitive and emotive discussions, a Youth Support Co-ordinator (YSC) and Clinical Psychologist were engaged to manage safeguarding concerns. A distress protocol using a traffic light system for signposting to additional support materials was established. Four HN-RMS CCS with post-radiation FA attended two focus groups led by a research radiographer and supported by a YSC. Participants were reimbursed for their time and expenses in line with National Institute of Health and Care Research payment guidance. Group discussion centred on two main areas: 1) research design and project set-up and 2) conduct of the prospective research. Results: The group confirmed importance of the scope and approach to this research. Participants positively supported the need to tailor HNRT. When asked about developing methods to better evaluate FA, all participants expressed that clinician and patient definition of asymmetry may differ. Thus, patient-reported-outcome-measures in addition to clinical measures has been included. Participants stated researchers needed better understanding of psychological consequences of FA following HNRT. A qualitative work-package has been integrated into the research to explore the psychosocial impact on CCS. All participants confirmed continued engagement and commitment to the research, forming a patient advisory group. Conclusion: The participants’ lived experiences with radiotherapy, and knowledge of its impact, have been integral to the research development, providing a valuable opportunity for CCS to shape and strengthen the research design. Co-production with patient collaborators will continue throughout the research conduct to ensure research outcomes are those valued and relevant to the population that this research aims to help. This PPIE work may be beneficial for other researchers when planning PPIE for future health research.

Keywords: Patient and public involvement, survivorship

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Digital Poster Patient and Radiation Therapist Perceptions on Non-Permanent Setup Marks in Breast Cancer Radiotherapy Grace Lee 1,2 , Areeb Hassan 1 , Tara Rosewall 1,2 , Xiang Y Ye 3 , Amy Liu 3 , Yat Tsang 1,2 , Jennifer Croke 1,2 1 Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada. 2 Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. 3 Department of Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada Purpose/Objective: Traditionally, permanent tattoos have been used to ensure accurate patient set-up in radiation therapy (RT); however, they may have a negative psychosocial impact. We assessed patient and radiation therapist perceptions on non-permanent marks (NPM) for treatment setup in breast cancer RT.