scholarly journals Codesigning and pilot testing a lifestyle-focused text message intervention for women after breast cancer treatment: A mixed-methods study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Singleton ◽  
Rebecca Raeside ◽  
Stephanie R Partridge ◽  
Molly Hayes ◽  
Katherine Maka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Cancer Information ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Pilot Testing

BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Recovery from breast cancer treatment can be mentally and physically challenging. Text message programs offer a novel way to provide health information and support but few programs are co-designed with consumer representatives. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to co-design and pilot test a lifestyle-focused text message program to support women’s mental and physical health after treatment. METHODS Iterative mixed-methods three-step process: 1) co-design workshop with consumers, health professionals/researchers with drafting text messages; 2) consumer and health professionals/researchers evaluation plus readability (Flesch-Kincaid score) and 3) pilot testing of message delivery software. For the consumer and health professional review, content was scored (5-point Likert scale) for ease-of-understanding, usefulness and appropriateness and additional free-text responses and semi-structured interviews were conducted RESULTS In Step 1, co-designed text messages (n=189) were semi-personalised and main content themes were: i) physical activity and healthy eating, ii) medications and side effects, iii) mental health and iv) general breast cancer information. In Step 2, consumers (n=14) and health professionals/researchers (n=14) provided 870 reviews of 189 messages and found most messages easy-to-understand (92%), useful (86%) and appropriate (84%) and most (156/189; 83%). However, consumers rated 50 messages differently to health professionals/researchers. Based on evaluations/feedback, 71 messages deleted, 69 edited and 12 new messages were created related to fatigue, self-care and cognition. The final 130 text messages had a mean (SD) Flesch-Kincaid 7.12 (2.8) grade level and 68.9 (15.5) ease-of-reading score representing “standard” reading ease. In Step 3, participants successfully received 16 text messages with no technical issues. CONCLUSIONS Co-designing and evaluating a bank of evidence-based lifestyle-focused text messages with breast cancer survivors, health professionals and researchers was feasible. Consumer evaluations differed from health professionals/researchers and significantly improved the message quality. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

Factors influencing options in primary breast cancer treatment.

1987 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
W H Wolberg ◽  
M A Tanner ◽  
E P Romsaas ◽  
D L Trump ◽  
J F Malec
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Primary Breast Cancer ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Information ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Tumor Excision ◽  
Factors Influencing

Primary breast cancer treatment is determined by tumor factors and by patient preference. Breast cancer treatments that preserve the cosmetic appearance of the breast are appealing and effective for appropriately selected patients; long-term survival following tumor excision and breast irradiation appears to be comparable to that for mastectomy. Since April 1981, when a protocol was developed and treatment options were offered, factors influencing treatment selection have been analyzed in 206 consecutive primary breast cancer patients. Mastectomy was dictated by tumor-related factors in 96 patients (47%); 110 patients (53%) had the option of mastectomy or conservation--tumor excision plus radiotherapy to the breast. Among these 110 eligible patients, 54 chose conservation (49%) and 56 chose mastectomy (51%). Intraoperative findings for ten patients electing conservation necessitated mastectomy, so conservation was accomplished for 44 (21%) of those treated for breast cancer. Beginning in July 1982, breast cancer patients took a battery of psychosexual assessments before any operation (Profile of Mood States [POMS], Health Locus of Control Scale [HLCS] Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test [MAT], Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale [PAIS], Derogatis Sexual Function Inventory [DSFI], Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory [MCMI], and a Breast Cancer Information Test [BCIT]). Comparisons of psychologic and demographic variables were made between patients who chose mastectomy and those who chose conservation. No demographic variable was statistically significantly related to choice, although older women tended to select mastectomy more than younger women. Compared with those who elected conservation, women who elected mastectomy were more tense and anxious (P less than .01), more introverted (P less than .01), felt more depressed and dejected (P less than .05), and reported more sexual problems (P less than .05). Those who elected conservation valued their physical appearance more highly (P less than .01) and were generally more self-interested (P less than .05). Mastectomy was dictated by medical considerations for approximately half of patients with breast cancer. Among candidates for breast conservation, the importance of retaining the breast appeared to be determined to a significant degree by measurable psychological factors.

An online pilot survey to assess collateral damage related to male breast cancer treatment.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e24046-e24046
Author(s):  
Deanna J. Attai ◽  
Leah Eshraghi ◽  
Susan M. Love
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Male Breast Cancer ◽  
Late Effects ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment ◽  
Male Breast ◽  
Fear Of Recurrence ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Collateral Damage ◽  
Pilot Survey

e24046 Background: Fewer than 1% of all cases of breast cancer occur in men, and little is known about the late effects of the disease and its treatment in this population. We developed a pilot survey with the aim of identifying primary areas of concern among men who have been treated for breast cancer. The findings will be used to develop a more comprehensive survey assessing the late effects or collateral damage of male breast cancer treatment. Methods: An anonymous survey was developed with the assistance of patient advocates from the Male Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC). The survey asked for the men’s current age and contained five open-ended questions. Respondents were asked to (1) describe the most significant types of collateral damage they had experienced; (2) share the effects of disease and treatment on areas of their lives (physical, emotional, psychological, financial); (3) identify resources they had found to be helpful; and (4) provide advice to other men with breast cancer. The fifth question allowed for additional free-text entry. The survey, distributed by the Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research and MBCC via social media postings and email, was open from January to February 2021. Results: Sixty-eight men responded to the survey. Mean age of respondents was 62.9 (range 34 - 87). Sexual dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, musculoskeletal complaints, and fatigue were the most commonly reported collateral damage symptoms. In their open-ended answers, many respondents expressed anxiety about and fear of recurrence, being self-conscious regarding their appearance, and negative effects on sexual function and intimacy. Some described the social isolation of being a man with breast cancer, and several discussed job loss and financial hardship as a result of their diagnosis and treatment. Online resources, including MBCC, were popular sources of support, as were family, friends, and faith. The respondents’ advice to other men with breast cancer included many recommendations to “be your own advocate,” seek out others for support and networking, and “prepare for a pink world.” Conclusions: This pilot study provides important preliminary information regarding late effects and collateral damage of male breast cancer and its treatments, as well as insights into the male breast cancer experience not captured in prior work. This information will be used to inform a more comprehensive project that assesses collateral damage and quality of life among men who have been treated for breast cancer. The findings also will be used to develop recommendations on how to educate clinicians about the needs of male breast cancer survivors and how to better alleviate the late effects and collateral damage they experience.

scholarly journals The Potential for mHealth Interventions to Support Women with Breast Cancer after Active Treatment

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. p112
Author(s):  
Anna Singleton ◽  
Rebecca Raeside ◽  
Stephanie R. Partridge ◽  
Kerry Sherman ◽  
Elisabeth Elder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Activity Trackers ◽  
Barriers To Implementation ◽  
And Gender ◽  
One Year

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. Chances of living one-year after diagnosis are high (~98%), and health self-management is essential to reduce risks of recurrence. Mobile health (mHealth) has emerged as a wide-reaching and cost-effective way of providing health information and support. Therefore, we conducted a narrative review of the currently available mHealth literature and synthesised the literature according to the impacts of mHealth interventions on patient outcomes, the potential mechanism for behaviour change and innovative approaches to developing future mHealth interventions. Results found a small amount of evidence for the value of mHealth interventions (text message programs, smartphone applications and activity trackers) for supporting women after breast cancer treatment. However, accessibility, cost and gender inequities may pose barriers to implementation. Developing consumer-led mHealth interventions based on lived-experiences will be essential to improving user outcomes. In conclusion, mHealth interventions are widely available and have the potential to support women after breast cancer treatment and further robust research will determine effectiveness in specific subgroups and populations.

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