PhD Research Investigates Feasibility of Ototoxicity Monitoring Programme for Cervical Cancer Sufferers Receiving Cisplatin Chemotherapy

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The feasibility of implementing an audiological monitoring programme for women suffering from a loss of hearing due to cisplatin chemotherapy they receive for cervical cancer was investigated in a doctoral study by UKZN academic, Dr Jessica Paken.

The thesis was titled: Cisplatin-Associated Ototoxicity Amongst Patients Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy and the Feasibility of an Audiological Monitoring Programme at Grey’s Hospital.

Paken, who graduated with a PhD in Audiology, said with meaningful interaction with patients and service providers regarding planning, delineation of responsibilities, and cost implications, an audiological monitoring programme was indeed feasible in South Africa.

Paken said her research highlighted cisplatin’s ototoxic effect in cervical cancer patients, with a greater impact on HIV-positive patients, providing clear evidence for the need of an ototoxicity monitoring programme (OMP).

‘I am super excited that despite all the challenges I was able to complete the degree and now I plan to do postdoctoral studies in the same field.’ 

Her supervisors were Professor Vikash Sewram, Professor Mershen Pillay and Mr Cyril Govender.

According to Paken, her study is the first to prospectively investigate the hearing patterns of patients with cervical cancer in Africa and the first to comment on the feasibility of an ototoxicity monitoring programme for this patient population through the lens of real-world practice.

‘My personal experience with family members who acquired a hearing loss post-treatment for cancer motivated me to pursue this topic.  The type of cancer selected was based on my personal experience with gynaecological disorders,’ said Paken.

She came up against several challenges during her study journey, including ill health, being in hospital, having surgery and the death of a baby. ‘Perseverance and my belief and trust in God that there is a time and place for everything got me through it all,’ she said.

Mother to a fun-loving, adventurous four-year old, Suri, Paken said: ‘I would not compromise my family for anything.  I am married to the most wonderful, supportive husband, Sujeet Mangaroo, who was by my side through all my challenges in all my degrees.’

Paken has achieved numerous research accolades over the years being a recipient of a R50 000 scholarship award for her master’s degree study;  a runner-up in the S2A3 Bronze Medal sponsored by the SA Association for the Advancement of Science for her master’s dissertation; a recipient of the Archbishop Dennis E. Hurley Scholarship for Excellence in a master’s degree; a recipient of the South African Medical Research Council National Health Scholarship for a PhD degree, and a recipient of funding from Oticon Fonden for her PhD study.

In addition to Paken presenting her research at various national and international conferences, the study findings have also been published in national and international journals as well as in a book.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photograph: Abhi Indrarajan