Hi there,
My name is Caitlin McShane, I am 23, originally from Warrenpoint, but currently living in Belfast. I am one of four NIPANC funded PhD students at Queen’s University Belfast. My original degree was in psychology.
I was diagnosed with leukaemia when I was 19. Going through that process of diagnosis and treatment, highlighted to me the impact any kind of cancer, including pancreatic cancer, can have on all aspects of your life. I came to understand when the right support is available, a cancer journey can be that bit easier. My own experience has motivated me to make a difference and support others.
The working title of my PhD is 'Understanding the Needs and Experiences of Children and Young People Affected by Parental Pancreatic Cancer'. It aims to understand younger people’s experiences, exploring their specific psychological needs and the unique challenges they face such as heightened anxiety, additional caring responsibilities, and anticipatory grief.
This research gap will provide insights and could support new interventions. The title is likely to evolve as the study's focus develops, but my aim to understand younger people’s experiences will remain at its core.
To give you a little more about my background, I obtained a BSc in Psychology at QUB. During my degree, I worked as a research assistant within the School of Psychology across projects within a Developmental Lab. Once I graduated, I continued this role full-time for a year.
Working within a supportive research team meant I was encouraged to apply to a PhD, so I decided to seek out opportunities relating to supporting families with the psychosocial impacts of cancer, as this is something I can relate to and am passionate about.
The remit of my PhD is to explore the specific psychosocial needs and experiences of children and young people affected by a parent or carer’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Given the rapid disease progression and poor prognostic outcomes of pancreatic cancer, impacted young people may experience unique challenges such heightened anxiety, additional caring responsibilities, and anticipatory grief, all within a short space of time.
As there appears to be little research focusing on the unique challenge that pancreatic cancer presents for young dependents, I aim to address this research gap and provide insights that may guide interventions, policy, and support frameworks.
I am just a month into my PhD, and in the process of developing a study proposal. This initial stage involves reviewing the literature. I’m then hoping to have an advisory meeting soon with affected families, as their advice and guidance are invaluable. The aim is to have a brief protocol in place for review by January, followed by a larger literature review after which I will be aiming to collect data, probably around this time next year.
Through this research, I hope to contribute insights that will lead to better support networks and resources for young people facing the challenges of parental pancreatic cancer. By highlighting areas of unmet need, we can work toward developing tailored interventions that increase quality of life throughout a parent's cancer journey.
My greatest hope is my PhD contributes to understanding how we can help families navigate the challenges of pancreatic cancer with greater psychosocial support. I would like the findings to lead to practical resources and an increased awareness within healthcare services about the ripple effects of pancreatic cancer on young family members.
Young people often face unique challenges when a parent is diagnosed with cancer, and may be overlooked in cancer support, as often they are not in direct contact with health professionals. Pancreatic cancer is of particular concern, as the disease progression can be rapid. Through my PhD, I hope to understand their specific experiences and give voice to their needs.
As I’ve said, I have experience cancer myself although my diagnosis was leukaemia. I’ve never had direct experience with pancreatic cancer before working with NIPANC. But going through my own process of diagnosis and treatment highlighted the extent any kind of cancer can have on all aspects of your life. This ranges from physical symptoms and side-effects to the impact it has on your identity, mental wellbeing, relationships, and the domino effect it has on the wellbeing of those closest to you as well.
It showed me that when the right support is available, the journey can be that bit easier. This experience motivated me to do something to improve cancer support for others.
I came across NIPANC in my search for PhDs in this area of supporting families impacted by cancer. My PhD is a DfE CAST award, which are specifically for encouraging collaboration between universities and industries, such as NIPANC. It means that from the application process, I knew I would be working with NIPANC, which was something I was very enthusiastic about.
As I started to learn some of the shocking figures associated with pancreatic cancer, I saw the work that NIPANC was doing, in terms of promoting public understanding and awareness, funding research and supporting patients and families, was pivotal to addressing these figures. I appreciated the creative ways in which they were making these complex topics so digestible to their audiences, such as co-designing a serious digital game. I also think the charity is an excellent blueprint of how collaboration between experts by lived experience, healthcare professionals, and academics can optimise progress towards shared goals.
I'm finding the whole experience immensely rewarding and challenging in a positive sense. Working alongside NIPANC, with Susan Cooke as an invaluable advisor, and with my experienced supervisors Dr Gary Mitchell and Dr Lisa Graham-Wisener, I feel supported in tackling the complexities of the research. I’m also motivated by their dedication to the cause. It has also been wonderful to work alongside other PhD researchers committed to the same cause, because that support and sense of community go a long way.
During Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month #PCAM and as part of NIPANC’s Partners in #TimeMatters campaign, I would like to encourage members of the public and the medical community to pay close attention to the symptoms of pancreatic cancer and seek early, life saving diagnosis and treatment. The earlier the prognosis, the better.
You can find out more about the symptoms HERE