Increasing Adherence to Adjuvant Hormone Therapy Among Patients With Breast Cancer: A Smart Phone App-Based Pilot Study

Purpose: This study tested the feasibility and efficacy of using a text-based intervention to increase initiation, decrease discontinuation, and improve adherence as prescribed to adjuvant hormone therapy (AHT) among hyphenate post-menopausal breast cancer survivors. Methods: The 3-month intervention consisted of daily text message reminders to take medication, coupled with a dynamic (eg, feedback on progress) tailored intervention using weekly interactive surveys delivered by a smartphone app. Five clinic sites within the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology participated. Hormone levels were measured prior to AHT initiation and at study exit. Results: Of the 39 patients recruited to the pilot study, 27 (69.2%) completed all study requirements (completed both the baseline and the exit surveys, both blood draws, and did not miss more than 2 weekly surveys). Significant improvements were observed pre- to postintervention for self-reported medication adherence ( P = .015), mental health functioning ( P = .007), and perceived stress ( P = .04). Significant decreases in estradiol, estrogen, and estrone hormone levels were observed from baseline to study exit ( P < .001), indicating the accuracy of self-reported AHT adherence. Participants (91.9%) and physicians (100%) agreed that participant participation in the intervention was beneficial. Conclusions: The results of this pilot study established the general feasibility and efficacy of an app-based intervention to support patient AHT adherence. Larger controlled, randomized trials are needed to examine the effectiveness of the app-based intervention in improving AHT and quality of life among breast cancer survivors.

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Socioeconomic factors associated with adjuvant hormone therapy use in older breast cancer survivors

Cancer ◽

10.1002/cncr.25412 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 117 (2) ◽

pp. 398-405 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Tina W. F. Yen ◽

Linda K. Czypinski ◽

Rodney A. Sparapani ◽

Changbin Guo ◽

Purushottam W. Laud ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Socioeconomic Factors ◽

Hormone Therapy ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Adjuvant Hormone Therapy ◽

Factors Associated

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Persistence with adjuvant hormone therapy in older breast cancer survivors.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2011.29.15_suppl.6032 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 29 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 6032-6032

Author(s):

T. Hedin ◽

C. Guo ◽

A. Nattinger

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Hormone Therapy ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Adjuvant Hormone Therapy

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Metabolic Syndrome and Elevated C-Reactive Protein in Breast Cancer Survivors on Adjuvant Hormone Therapy

Journal of Women s Health ◽

10.1089/jwh.2009.1365 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 18 (12) ◽

pp. 2041-2047 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Cynthia A. Thomson ◽

Patricia A. Thompson ◽

Jennifer Wright-Bea ◽

Emily Nardi ◽

Georgette R. Frey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Hormone Therapy ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Adjuvant Hormone Therapy ◽

Reactive Protein

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Increasing adherence to adjuvant hormone therapy among breast cancer patients: A smart phone app-based pilot study.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2018.36.15_suppl.e12523 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 36 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e12523-e12523 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jessica L. Krok-Schoen ◽

Michelle Joy Naughton ◽

Gregory S. Young ◽

Jennifer Moon ◽

Electra D. Paskett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Hormone Therapy ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Smart Phone ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Adjuvant Hormone Therapy

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Perspectives of Survivorship Care Plans Among Older Breast Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study

Cancer Control ◽

10.1177/1073274820917208 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 107327482091720

Author(s):

Jessica L. Krok-Schoen ◽

Michelle J. Naughton ◽

Anne M. Noonan ◽

Janell Pisegna ◽

Jennifer DeSalvo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Health Care ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Survivorship Care Plan ◽

Survivorship Care ◽

Care Providers ◽

Term Care

The Commission on Cancer’s standard 3.3 represents a paradigm shift in the care of cancer survivors, recommending that survivors receive a treatment summary and survivorship care plan (SCPs). A focus on older breast cancer survivors is needed, as they are the majority of the breast cancer population and their experiences and perspectives of SCPs is limited in the literature. This pilot study utilized a mixed methods approach (focus groups and self-report questionnaire data) to gather information on older (≥65 years) breast cancer survivors’ perspectives of their SCPs, cancer survivorship, and communication with their health-care providers. The questionnaire was completed individually by the participants prior to the focus group and contained items on basic demographics and their health status following cancer treatment. The focus groups indicated that only a minority of women actually developed a SCP. Those who developed a SCP in collaboration with their providers valued the personal care and attention received. However, some participants reported poor communication with their providers and within their health-care team, resulting in frustration and confusion. Participants’ suggestions for ideal SCPs included better education and personalization, particularly in appropriate nutrition and exercise, and managing side effects and comorbidities. Lastly, the women believed that additional long-term care resources, such as health coaches, were important in improving their survivorship. These findings provide insight into enhancing the content, communication, and application of SCPs to improve the survivorship experience of older breast cancer survivors.

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