Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Cancer
Date Submitted: Jul 2, 2021
Open Peer Review Period: Jul 2, 2021 - Aug 27, 2021
Date Accepted: Dec 9, 2021
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Evaluation of the Pathways for Survivors program to address breast cancer survivorship associated distress
ABSTRACT
Purpose: Breast cancer patients not infrequently experience escalation of anxiety after completing curative treatment. This study evaluated the acceptability and psychological impact of a one-day workshop emphasizing behavioral strategies involving intention and self-efficacy.
Methods:
Breast cancer survivors attending a one-day Pathways for Survivors workshop, provided feedback, and completed electronic quality of life (QOL) questionnaires at baseline, 1- and 6-weeks, and 6-months post workshop. Attendees’ baseline QOL scores were compared to follow up (FUP) scores. Scores from patients receiving routine FUP care were also compiled as a reference population.
Results:
Seventy-seven patients attended one of nine workshops. Mean satisfaction was 9.7/10 with the workshop, and 9.96/10 with the moderator. Participants’ baseline mean Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) anxiety and depression scores were 57.8±6.9 and 55.3±7.5, significantly higher than routine FUP care patients (49.1±8.3 and 47.3±8 respectively). PROMIS anxiety and depression scores decreased and Happiness Index Profile (HIP-10), measuring intention and resiliency, increased significantly at 1- and 6-week FUPs.
Conclusions:
Pathways for Survivors was favorably received. Anxiety and depression decreased significantly at 1- and 6-weeks post workshop and remained below baseline at 6 months. Increased HIP-10 scores support that patients incorporated skills from the workshop. A one-day workshop led by a lay moderator significantly improved several psychological measures, suggesting it may be a useful and time-efficient strategy to improve QOL in breast cancer survivors. We are investigating whether an abbreviated “booster” of the intervention at a later date could further improve and maintain QOL gains.
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