Coping with prognostic uncertainty: What psychological support do blood cancer patients need?
Dr Sarah Stapleton, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, is the recipient of the 2025 Patient Care Pioneer Award.
This award aims to fund research with patient care at the heart of it and Dr Stapleton is doing just that. With an ever-changing landscape of possible treatments come side effects and emotional and mental toll which are not always explored, Dr Stapleton’s work is looking at the newest blood cancer therapies and what psychological support patients receiving this treatment might need.
The Challenge
Recent breakthroughs in cancer immunotherapy have transformed the treatment landscape for blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. CAR-T cell and bispecific antibody therapies offer new hope for patients who previously had limited options.
However, these treatments also bring a new kind of uncertainty. Complete remission rates remain variable, and patients can face unpredictable outcomes and severe side effects. This uncertainty can cause significant emotional strain for both patients and their caregivers. Despite the growing use of these therapies, there is limited understanding of how people cope with these psychological challenges and what support they truly need.
This research seeks to fill that gap – addressing an important and underexplored aspect of modern cancer care.
Research Plan
The study will take a qualitative approach to explore the lived experiences of both patients and caregivers. Researchers will conduct in-depth interviews with 30 patients undergoing CAR-T or bispecific antibody therapy and 30 caregivers supporting them.
Through thematic analysis of these interviews, the team will identify common themes, emotions, and coping mechanisms surrounding prognostic uncertainty. The insights gained will inform the development of a practical framework designed to guide healthcare professionals in supporting patients and families throughout the treatment journey.
This framework will ultimately be used to develop psychological interventions, communication strategies, and psychological care within the cancer workforce.
Project information
What does this mean for patients?
For patients and caregivers, this research offers a voice in shaping how emotional and psychological care is delivered during some of the most challenging treatment experiences.
By understanding their perspectives, the study aims to reduce distress, improve communication, and ensure that support services are responsive to real needs.
Ultimately, the findings will guide a more compassionate and informed approach to care, helping patients and families navigate uncertainty with confidence and dignity as they move through innovative but complex treatment pathways.
