SWEET: Improving outcomeS for Women diagnosed with early breast cancer through adhErence to adjuvant Endocrine Therapy

Funder: National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)

Co-Lead Investigators: Professor Linda Sharp and Professor Eila Watson

Staff: Dr Guy Taylor

Mrs Sue Thompson

Other team members:

Mr Henry Cain

Dr Lucy McGeagh

Dr Sarah-Jane Stewart 

Warwick Clinical Trials Unit

Breast Cancer Now

Status: Recruitment to RCT completed; follow-up ongoing

Summary

Background
There is strong evidence that five years of adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) substantially reduces risks of recurrence and mortality in estrogen-receptor (ER) positive early breast cancer.  Recent guidance recommends extending use beyond five years. However, adherence is sub-optimal: 20% of women show poor adherence at two years and 50% at five years. Poor adherence is strongly associated with increasing risk of recurrence and death, and is related to worse cancer-specific health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL). Our preparatory research reveals reasons for poor adherence include: feeling negative or concerned about taking AET; not understanding its importance; AET-related side-effects; feeling unsupported; and forgetfulness. No effective interventions to support women with AET adherence currently exist.

Aim

To develop and evaluate an intervention to reduce poor adherence to AET and improve cancer-specific HRQoL and, in the longer-term, reduce recurrence, in women with ER-positive invasive breast cancer.

Methods
WS1 will iteratively develop a person-centred, evidence-based, theoretically-informed intervention to support AET adherence. We envisage this will be tailored and will include a face-to-face consultation with a trained health professional soon after AET prescription to discuss beliefs, concerns and AET experiences, with introduction of an app/website or workbook providing information, a symptom monitoring tool, and other support mechanisms.  A three-month follow-up telephone consultation will address any emerging concerns and communicate continued importance of treatment. Women will also receive regular contact via routine text/email messages.  

WS2 will use mixed methods to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and the future randomised controlled trial (RCT). Any final modifications to the intervention will be made.

WS3 will deliver a RCT with an internal pilot and process evaluation. 1018 eligible women at medium/high risk of recurrence will be randomised to usual care or intervention+usual care. Adherence, cancer-specific HRQoL, and potential mediators, will be measured at 6, 12 and 18-months post-randomisation.

WS4 will assess the cost-effectiveness of the intervention, within trial and longer term, and conduct a budget impact analysis.

WS5 will use theory, qualitative research and stakeholder involvement to develop a pathway to impact and inform potential for scale-up within the NHS. 

If the intervention is effective in reducing poor adherence, WS6 will assess effectiveness in reducing recurrence at five years.

PPI will be integral throughout. 

Anticipated Impact and Dissemination

More than 11,500 women die from the breast cancer annually in the UK.  This programme offers potential to reduce breast cancer recurrences and deaths benefiting patients, the NHS and society. By improving HRQoL it will further significantly benefit many patients. 

Wider potential can be envisaged in relation to supporting adherence to other anti-cancer oral therapies, and long-term medications, and informing studies looking at new approaches to cancer follow-up. 

Findings will be disseminated via: presentations, publications, website, social media, stakeholder briefing/events, and PPI engagement. Partnerships with charities and commissioners will enhance implementation and sustainability.