- Developing Lifestyle Interventions in Barrett’s Oesophagus
Prof. Juliette Hussey
AllCaN Oesophageal Co-Lead & Principal Investigator
Dr Emer Guinan
AllCaN Oesophageal Principal Investigator
Ms. Diana Cooke
AllCaN Oesophageal PhD Candidate
- September 2024 (4 years)
Research questions
What are the patterns, barriers and enablers to healthy lifestyle behaviours in people living with Barrett’s Oesophagus? Can we co-develop and evaluate an intervention for risk factor management in people living with Barrett’s Oesophagus?
Project Overview
For this PhD, we will determine how lifestyle behaviours contribute to the progression of cancer in patients with Barrett’s Oesophagus. Traditional management focuses on medication and surveillance, but research now suggests that lifestyle factors—diet, weight, and physical activity—may play a crucial role in managing symptoms and reducing cancer risk. This project will identify what healthy and unhealthy lifestyle behaviours that may contribute to reflux experience are prominent in this cohort and investigate why individuals decide to engage in these certain behaviours. Following this, we will co-develop an intervention to reduce risky behaviours and promote healthy behaviours to reduce the risk of cancer progression and improve quality of life.
Overview – Part 1
The first step is collaborating with a Public and patient Involvement (PPI) panel of Barrett’s patients to gain insights into their real-life experiences, deepening our understanding of how the condition impacts their daily lives. This approach ensures that patient concerns, needs, and priorities drive the project from the start. Following discussions and feedback from the PPI panel we will then identify patterns, barriers, and enablers to engaging in adaptive lifestyle behaviours for people with Barrett’s Oesophagus. Using various exploratory methods, we will work with Barrett’s patients to understand what might motivate or deter patients from adopting health-supportive behaviours. The outcomes of this research will provide a scientific basis for developing a lifestyle intervention.
Overview – Part 2
The second objective will be to design an intervention that encourages long-term behavioural changes that reduce cancer risk, co-developed with patients and healthcare professionals. The project will use input from our previous research on lifestyle behaviours in Barrett’s patients to craft an intervention framework. Through a series of co-design workshops, conducted with Experts by Experience (people living with Barrett’s and their family) and Experts by Profession (various healthcare professionals) to consider the results of Phase I an intervention protocol will be developed to considered the needs identified. Finally, the intervention will undergo a pilot study to assess its feasibility and effectiveness. This trial will measure not only clinical outcomes, such as symptom reduction and quality of life improvements, but also the intervention’s acceptability, ease of use, and potential for long-term behaviour change. This patient-centred approach ensures that the final intervention is tailored, achievable, and supportive of sustainable health practices for people living with Barrett’s.
Anticipated impact of this AllCaN Oesophageal research project
This project has the potential to make a significant impact on patient outcomes, particularly by adopting a highly patient-centred approach that personalises the intervention to meet the specific needs of Barrett’s oesophagus patients. By aligning the intervention with patient’s experiences, this method aims to promote greater patient engagement and support long-term behaviour change. Such sustained changes are critical for ongoing management of the condition, as they empower patients to take an active role in their health over a lifetime.
Targeting key lifestyle risk factors provides a non-invasive, patient-focused alternative that works alongside traditional medical treatments. By doing so, it not only empowers patients to feel more in control of managing their condition but also addresses modifiable behaviours that are linked to higher cancer risk. This empowerment can enhance adherence to recommended lifestyle adjustments and potentially reduce the likelihood of progression to cancer.
The data collected from our pilot study will be instrumental in refining and optimising the intervention, ensuring that it is safe, effective, and well-received by patients. These insights will enable future iterations to be even more closely aligned with patient needs and preferences, maximising the intervention’s positive impact on health outcomes and acceptability.