Method This is a single assessment observational study

1. Overview of the ADVCATE study (Advanced Ovarian Cancer: Care & Treatment Experiences) Catt S, Monson K, Fallowfield L, Langridge C, Jenkins V SHORE-C, Brighton & Sussex Medical School Background Therapy for advanced ovarian cancer (OC) is palliative aiming to delay progression and reduce symptoms without creating extra burdens and iatrogenic harms. Patients’ expectations about treatment and the values they place on outcomes may not match those of healthcare professionals1, and they may have preferences regarding different types of management available. The views and practices of UK oncologists treating women with advanced OC have been surveyed see Poster # B143. The ADVOCATE study focuses on the experiences of 200 patients. • Preliminary results • Sample • 175/200 (87%) women have been interviewed to date • mean age = 63.5yrs, s.d. 9.7, (range 31.9 - 81.7yrs) • 50% left school by 16yrs; 13% have a degree • 65% are married or with a partner • 98% identified themselves as white British • 69% have comorbidities • Most women repeatedly visited their GP before referral for diagnosis of OC. Figure 1 shows the symptoms prompting their help seeking. • Treatment experiences • 92% had undergone surgery; a few (7%) had received radiotherapy • 70% of 1st line chemotherapy was carboplatin & paclitaxel • Figure 2 summarises the side-effects the women found most difficult to deal with during 1st line chemotherapy. • Supportive care • easy access to a dietician, psychological services and complementary therapies is still not universal • follow-up after end of chemotherapy is inconsistent; some women have none, others are seen 3-monthly, and use of CA125 testing and scans is variable Aim To gather women’s experiences and views about their OC treatment and care. • Method • This is a single assessment observational study • taking place between January-December 2012 at • 16 centres across the UK. It comprises a semi- • structured interview and completion of • standardised questionnaires. Women with stage • II-IV OC recently completed or currently receiving • chemotherapy are eligible. • Initial approach: Eligible patients are briefly told • about the study by gynaecology team members • and offered an information pack to read at home. • The pack contains: • a letter of invitation & patient information sheet • an expression of interest (EOI) form & prepaid return envelope • Interested patients contact the researchers either by returning the EOI form, by email or telephone. • The study specific semi-structured interview is • conducted by a SHORE-C researcher at a date • and time convenient to the patient, either face-to- • face or by telephone. • Areas covered include: • demography and medical/treatment history • symptoms prior to diagnosis which prompted medical help seeking • most bothersome treatment side-effects • support received to ameliorate side-effects • other support & help provided • preferences for future treatment and care • Standardised questionnaires record: • current quality of life- EORTC QLQ-30 + OV28 • information needs- INFO25 • The gynaecology teams • provide us with a record • of the therapies administered • to each patient. Conclusions The women’s experiences combined with the clinician survey results illustrate current clinical practices and highlight care needs. These data may contribute to development and implementation of better guidelines providing more consistent treatment pathways and access to supportive services. Acknowledgements: Roche UK for unrestricted educational grant. Reference: 1Meropol NJ et al (2008) Cancer 113: 3459-66.