Advance Care Planning (ACP) involves thinking and talking about patient’s wishes for how they hope to be cared for in the future and in final months of life. Planning ahead can help patients and their families better express their wishes and feelings and the ACP document record can be shared amongst healthcare professionals to ensure these wishes are respected if the patient is no longer able to do this for themselves.

Whilst there is evidence that ACP discussions can be very helpful for patients, their families and healthcare professionals, there is surprisingly little published about the thoughts and feelings of patients in the UK who are receiving treatment for a cancer that is treatable but not curable.

The aim of this study is to interview 20 people with cancer about their thoughts and feelings on ACP. When do they think the best time to start these discussions would be?, who should start these conversations with them?, what should these discussions cover?

The results from this research will help inform future clinical trials. We also want to help people with cancer to have more options about engaging in ACP discussions in a compassionate and sensitive way.