LIBERATE Phase 2: Feasibility evaluation of an online intervention
Research type
Research Study
Full title
LIBERATE (’Living better with advanced breast cancer’) Phase II: Evaluating the feasibility of a supportive, self-management website in women living with secondary breast cancer.\n
IRAS ID
266065
Contact name
Fiona Kennedy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 0 days
Research summary
Living Better with Advanced Breast Cancer (LIBERATE) Phase 2: Evaluating the feasibility of a supportive, self-management website in women living with secondary breast cancer. \n\nSecondary breast cancer (SBC) describes the spread of cancer cells from the breast to other parts of the body. Though it can be controlled through treatment, this advanced stage of disease remains incurable. New treatments are emerging yet continue to cause many side-effects, which women must manage alongside the physical symptoms, emotional distress and uncertainty brought by this diagnosis. Despite treatment advances, patients’ quality of life (QoL) has shown little improvement in the last decade and their information and supportive needs remain poorly addressed. \n\nOverall, this project, funded by Breast Cancer Now, aims to develop and evaluate an online supportive resource tailored to the needs of women living with SBC. Within the first phase, we conducted interviews (with both patients & health/charity professionals) and gathered evidence to inform and guide the development of the LIBERATE website. This addresses patients’ needs through five key areas; symptom monitoring & self-management advice, holistic health information, case studies, signposting support and support for others. \n\nThe current research aims to test the LIBERATE website amongst SBC patients on a small scale, to explore how it can be evaluated within a future, large-scale trial. Within the main study, Leeds based participants using the website will be able to report their symptoms & side-effects using a system which is linked to their electronic medical records. These can then be viewed by their clinicians. A separate sub study will also explore whether participants outside of Leeds find symptom monitoring and the overall website useful without the function for linking to their medical records. Participants will fill in questionnaires asking about their QoL and confidence in self-managing their cancer before and after the study. \n\n\n\n\n
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/YH/0330
Date of REC Opinion
23 Oct 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion