A recent study highlights the benefits of a mobile health (mHealth) tool called YES for young breast cancer survivors. Conducted by researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, the findings show that personalized support through the YES tool significantly improves the quality of life for adolescent and young adult survivors.
Breast cancer cases among women aged 15 to 39 have steadily increased by 0.6% per year from 1975 to 2022. According to Dr. Ann H. Partridge, a leading expert in the field, younger patients face unique emotional and medical challenges after diagnosis, often feeling under-supported as they transition out of active treatment. “The long-term effects of breast cancer can be overlooked, yet they are crucial to a young woman’s life,” she says.
To bridge this gap, the YES tool was developed to provide tailored support based on patients’ electronic feedback. When survivors report issues like anxiety, pain, or body image concerns, YES offers useful information and connects them to resources. The tool also fosters a sense of community, allowing users to chat with peers going through similar experiences.
In a trial with 360 participants diagnosed with stage 0-3 breast cancer within the last three years, the results were telling. Before the intervention, both groups completed a Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors (QLACS) questionnaire. Initial scores indicated poorer quality of life for those receiving usual care. After six months, those using the YES tool reported a marked improvement in both general and cancer-related quality of life, with significant reductions in key symptoms.
For general quality of life, the YES group scored better, showing an 8.7-point improvement, compared to just 1.6 points in the usual care group. Cancer-specific quality of life improved by 7.8 points for those using YES, versus 3 points for those receiving standard care.
Dr. Partridge reflected on the implications of these findings: “This low-touch intervention demonstrates that meaningful support does not always require extensive clinician involvement.” She noted that introducing such scalable tools could help other populations that typically lack easy access to healthcare, including busy young adults or people living in rural areas.
While the YES intervention showed promising results, some areas for improvement were noted. The study did not significantly improve symptoms related to depression or anxiety, indicating that further refinement of the tool is needed. The researchers acknowledged potential biases and challenges, such as changes to the platform during the study and the varying levels of support available at different healthcare facilities.
The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health and other organizations, emphasizing the need for ongoing investment in resources for young cancer survivors. As research in this area continues to evolve, tools like YES may play a pivotal role in improving the lives of those navigating the aftermath of cancer.
For more detailed information, you can read the full findings released by the American Association for Cancer Research.
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Breast Cancer, Cancer, Anxiety, Cancer Diagnosis, Cancer Treatment, Clinical Trial, Fatigue, Health Care, Medical School, Medicine, Oncology, Pain, Research, Vaginal
