PeNTAGOn: Peer & Nurse support Trial to Assist women in Gynaecological Oncology

This study aims to reduce the emotional, psychosocial and physical needs of women being treated with radiotherapy for gynaecological cancer. We are investigating the benefits of a new program which combines specialist nurse consultations with telephone peer support before, during, and after treatment, compared to current standard care alone. Who is it for? Eligible patients for this trial are 18 years or older, have a confirmed diagnosis of gynaecological cancer, speak and read English, and are scheduled to receive radiotherapy with curative intent to the pelvis. Eligible peer support volunteers are women who are 18 years or older, have received radiotherapy to the pelvis for a gynaecological cancer at least 2years ago, and can speak and read English. Trial details: In this study, patients will be randomly allocated to either standard care currently offered at their hospital, or to standard care PLUS the trial support program involving nurse-led consultations and telephone peer support. The consultations and telephone support will focus on the physical, functional, psychological, sexual, informational and social needs of patients at four time-points: pre-treatment, mid-treatment, at the end of treatment, and post-treatment. Patients randomly allocated to the new program will have a nurse consultation (face-to-face or over the phone) and peer support telephone call at each of these time-points. All participants will complete 5 surveys over 14 months, so we can assess whether the new program improves patient outcomes. The first ACTRN relevant to this study is for the initial development & pilot testing phase: ACTRN12609000312246. A second ACTRN is for the phase III trial for which this study was the initial development & pilot testing phase has also been submitted: ACTRN12611000744954.