Nurse given £25,000 grant to research better care for people living with mesothelioma

Posted: 4th Jul 18 8:30 AM

A nurse researcher has been awarded a grant worth £25,000 to study the improvement of follow-up care for the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma UK awarded the grant to Dr Catherine Henshall, a senior nursing researcher at Oxford Brookes University.

Dr Henshall will perform the study to identify best practice for patient follow-up care to help them live well with their condition.

Mesothelioma UK said they are committed to supporting research into all aspects of treatment and care related to the disease.

They work with the National Lung Cancer Forum for Nurses to make funding available for small scale research, audits, or preliminary work to support larger grant applications.

This new study to be carried out by Dr Henshall will involve interviews with patients to identify any common themes around what constitutes living well.

Studies involving patients with other long-term conditions have highlighted a need for self-esteem and reliable professional and peer support, as well as retaining personal responsibility and preserving identity.

This study will investigate if these findings apply to mesothelioma patients as well, or if there are unique factors that enable them to live well, said the charity.

Dr Henshall said: “We are delighted to have received this funding from Mesothelioma UK and the NLCFN, which will enable us to explore mesothelioma patients’ experiences of follow-up care.

“This will enable us to make informed recommendations for policy and practice, and to propose preferred, patient focused, follow-up services that are evidence-based, collaborative and inclusive.”

Liz Darlison, Mesothelioma UK’s head of services, said: “Follow-up care in mesothelioma is varied across the UK so this study will provide very useful clinical evidence to influence care and services.

“We wish Dr Henshall and her research team every success and look forward to helping to evaluate and disseminate findings in due course.”

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer caused, in the vast majority of cases, by exposure to asbestos dust and fibres. Mesothelioma affects a thin membrane that covers the lungs, the pleura.

Figures from the Health and Safety Executive show that more than 2,700 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the UK each year and according to the Department for Work and Pensions, 53,000 people will die from mesothelioma between 2013 and 2037.

If you or a loved one is ever diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related disease, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the National Asbestos Helpline. We’re here to help you with advice about your condition and how to cope with it, and can also advise on any benefits and/ or compensation you might be entitled to. Call us on Freephone 0800 043 6635, or email enquiries@nationalasbestos.co.uk.