PIONEER

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Pilot of lifestyle InterventiON to reduce breast cancer RiSk

• IRAS ID

  265619

• Contact name

  Jennifer Rusby

• Contact email

  jennifer.rusby@rmh.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  The Royal Marsden Hospital

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 0 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  Breast cancer causes more deaths than any other medical condition in women aged 30-50 years. It represents the highest number of quality adjusted life-years lost in this age group. Up to a third of breast cancer cases are preventable [CRUK website], yet many women are unaware of the modifiable risk factors [1].
  Previous studies have demonstrated that 95% of women do want to know their personalized breast cancer risk when offered [2]. Research on risk factor management is being undertaken in the screening and family history settings. However, women in the symptomatic clinic may be at a critical learning point and may be more motivated to change behaviour having recently had a degree of anxiety about breast symptoms. We believe that an opportunity to educate and provide support to change behaviour is missed every time a woman is reassured about her breasts and discharged from the clinic without a conversation about her future risk.

  Some studies of intensive input to change behaviour are being undertaken on a small scale e.g. ActWELL [3,4]. While we are proposing a pilot of a small number of women, the intention is to develop a risk calculation and behavioural change program which is interactive, scalable and sustainable.

  The behavioural sciences literature teaches us that lifestyle choices are context dependent and are the culmination of complex interactions between an individual with societal, economical, and cultural influences [5]. The methods we propose are designed to promote autonomy and support behavioural change, enabling realistic and achievable progress for participants. This in turn will promote maintainable change with the intention of improving an individual’s modifiable risk profile for breast cancer. Wider lifestyle change is more attractive than weight loss only goals; hence our multimodal approaches to risk management.

• REC name

  London - Westminster Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  19/LO/1703

• Date of REC Opinion

  9 Dec 2019

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion