Health care professionals’ views regarding chronic post cancer treatment pain in cancer survivors: understanding, experience and confidence

Introduction: Chronic post-cancer treatment pain (CPCTP) is pain caused by cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery (1). The prevalence of CPCTP affects many cancer ranges from 24 to 48% of people who have finished cancer treatment (1-5). Health care professionals are key to providing information and support regarding CPCTP to people living with and beyond cancer, yet little is known about their understanding, experience and confidence regarding CPCTP. Aims/objectives: 1) To determine health care professionals’ understanding and experience of chronic post cancer treatment pain 2) To establish how confident health care professionals’ feel to inform, listen and signpost people living with and beyond cancer about CPCTP Methodology A 19 question online e-survey was distributed to health care professionals working with people living with and beyond cancer. The survey was developed based on literature, previous research by the team, and discussions with clinical experts. The survey was piloted with over 40 health care professionals and two public research partners. University ethical approval was obtained. The final survey was distributed via professional networks and social media. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics alongside Mann-Whitney U tests, Spearman’s correlation r test and Chi-Squared tests to look for patterns, differences and associations within the data. Results. Data collection has concluded and results will be presented at the UKONS conference. Discussion. The results will be discussed within the context of literature, policy and clinical practice at the UKONS conference.