Developing an intervention for medication adherence in breast cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Yorkshire Cancer Research ACTION Trial, study 1: Using interviews and focus groups with women with breast cancer and NHS clinicians to develop an intervention to promote medication adherence and well-being in breast cancer
IRAS ID
242034
Contact name
Christopher Graham
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 2 days
Research summary
For many reasons (e.g. side effects, treatment beliefs), women with breast cancer struggle to adhere to adjuvant hormonal therapy (HT). This is problematic because non-adherence increases risk of mortality. We have been given funding by Yorkshire Cancer Research to co-develop, with women taking HTs and NHS clinicians, a brief psychological intervention that will be delivered to women with breast cancer after they have finished their active cancer treatment. This aims to improve adherence to HTs and improve quality of life. We will then do a small preliminary trial of this intervention, to see whether it should be tested further in a larger definitive trial. To help co-design the intervention, in this first study we want to undertake focus groups with 20 - 28 women with breast cancer and interview 12 NHS clinicians who work in oncology settings. For the purposes of ensuring a practicable and acceptable intervention, we want to seek participants opinions and experiences to assess what should be included in the intervention. For example, how many sessions should be included, or what exercises should be used. We will transcribe the interviews and look for themes in participants responses. The resulting themes will be used to help develop the subsequent intervention.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0846
Date of REC Opinion
25 May 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion