Moving on After Breast Cancer Trial for Depressed Breast Cancer Survivors in Pakistan

Launched by PAKISTAN INSTITUTE OF LIVING AND LEARNING · Jun 3, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The "Moving on After Breast Cancer" trial is a study designed to help women who have survived breast cancer and are dealing with depression. Breast cancer is a common illness among women, and many survivors experience mental health issues like depression and anxiety, which can make their recovery harder. This trial will include over 26,000 women in Pakistan who have finished their initial breast cancer treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy. If they show signs of depression, they will take part in a series of supportive interventions that start with simple self-help techniques and may progress to more intensive therapy if needed.

To be eligible for this study, women must be at least 18 years old and have completed their main breast cancer treatment. They will first be screened for depression, and if they meet certain criteria, they can join the trial. Participants can expect to receive personalized support based on their needs, and their progress will be monitored over several months. The study will also gather insights from patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers to ensure that the interventions are effective and suitable for the local context. This trial is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to improve the mental health of breast cancer survivors in a meaningful way.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Women
• • Aged 18 years and above
• • Diagnosed with breast cancer (any stage)
• • Completed initial treatment (i.e., surgery and/or radiotherapy or chemotherapy) for breast cancer (even if they are currently on hormonal therapy post-initial treatment)
• • Total score of 10 or above on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
• • Diagnosis of current Major Depressive Episode (MDE) confirmed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Lacking capacity to provide informed consent, such as those identified by clinicians as having intellectual disabilities, dementia, or severe medical and/or psychiatric illnesses requiring hospitalisation
• • Unable to engage in assessments or interventions, including those with stage 4 breast cancer experiencing significant symptoms (e.g., metastatic lesions in the lungs, liver, or bones requiring daily treatment for symptomatic relief, such as the daily use of two or more painkillers), which restrict their capacity to participate
• • Currently receiving psychological therapy or taking antidepressant medications (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, or other prescribed antidepressants)