Feasibility Study of ABC for Women Treated for Breast Cancer

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND · May 8, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring whether an online program called ABC, which includes group-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focused on body image, can help women who have finished treatment for breast cancer. The researchers want to see if combining this program with a helpful booklet about body image is more beneficial than just using the booklet alone. To do this, they will randomly assign participants to either the ABC program or the control group, which will only receive the booklet. Participants will answer questions about their experiences at different points during the study to help the researchers understand the program's impact.

To be eligible for this trial, women must be at least 18 years old, identify as female, and have completed their active treatment for breast cancer, which includes surgeries and therapies. They should also recognize that they are struggling with how their body looks or feels after treatment. Women still undergoing cancer treatment or those with certain medical conditions, like eating disorders, cannot participate. Throughout the study, participants will share their thoughts and experiences, and some may even be invited for interviews after completing the study. This research is important because it aims to understand how best to support women's body image after breast cancer treatment.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Identify as a woman.
• • 18+ years old.
• • Finished active treatment for breast cancer (including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted and immunotherapy) for breast cancer. There is no time limit on when they finished this treatment. Women on endocrine therapy are eligible to take part. Women with metastatic disease are eligible to take part if on endocrine therapy only.
• • Completed primary oncological breast cancer surgery with breast conserving surgery or mastectomy with or without immediate definitive breast reconstruction. Women awaiting delayed breast reconstruction, revision or contralateral symmetrisation surgery are eligible to take part provided this surgery is not planned within the duration of the study.
• • Recognises that they are experiencing BID as a result of treatment (regarding how the body looks and/or feels).
• • Has the capacity to provide informed consent or supported informed consent (e.g., with a family member/friend).
• • Has sufficient understanding of English (as the intervention content and measures are currently only available in English).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Still undergoing active treatment for breast cancer (e.g., oncological breast surgery including those awaiting the second stage of planned expander/implant reconstruction, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, radiotherapy).
• • Undergoing exploration for cancer recurrence.
• • Has not received a diagnosis of breast cancer e.g., has had prophylactic treatment for a gene mutation (such as risk-reducing mastectomy).
• • Has an eating disorder.
• • Unable to provide informed consent.