Novel Social Media Intervention For Older Br CA Patients
Status: | Recruiting |
---|---|
Conditions: | Breast Cancer |
Therapuetic Areas: | Oncology |
Healthy: | No |
Age Range: | 60 - Any |
Updated: | 6/22/2018 |
Start Date: | December 2015 |
End Date: | December 2020 |
Contact: | Rachel Freedman, MD |
Email: | rafreedman@partners.org |
Phone: | 617-632-4587 |
Improving Support for Older Patients Receiving Neo/Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer Using a Novel Social Media Intervention
The number of patients 60 and older with breast cancer is increasing as our population ages.
Despite the fact that the majority of breast cancers occur in patients 60 and over, these
patients are consistently under-represented in clinical trials. Because patients 60 and older
are an under-studied group, investigators do not have detailed information on the side
effects and experiences for these patients receiving chemotherapy. Understanding the side
effects patients receiving chemotherapy experience is an important part of this study.
In addition, past research has shown that having poor social support can affect quality of
life, mood, and outcomes for people with cancer. However, few studies in the past have
focused on improving the quality of life and support systems that patients have while they
receive treatment.
This research study is evaluating how engaging in an online support community may improve the
experience of older patients receiving chemotherapy.
Despite the fact that the majority of breast cancers occur in patients 60 and over, these
patients are consistently under-represented in clinical trials. Because patients 60 and older
are an under-studied group, investigators do not have detailed information on the side
effects and experiences for these patients receiving chemotherapy. Understanding the side
effects patients receiving chemotherapy experience is an important part of this study.
In addition, past research has shown that having poor social support can affect quality of
life, mood, and outcomes for people with cancer. However, few studies in the past have
focused on improving the quality of life and support systems that patients have while they
receive treatment.
This research study is evaluating how engaging in an online support community may improve the
experience of older patients receiving chemotherapy.
This clinical trial will evaluate how an on-line health information sharing community of
patients called PatientsLikeMe, www.patientslikeme.com, [or "PLM"] may help patients feel
better supported during treatment. This study will also evaluate how much PLM can help
collect information on side effects from chemotherapy and endocrine treatments, and radiation
therapy.
patients called PatientsLikeMe, www.patientslikeme.com, [or "PLM"] may help patients feel
better supported during treatment. This study will also evaluate how much PLM can help
collect information on side effects from chemotherapy and endocrine treatments, and radiation
therapy.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Participants must be women ≥60 years age with histologically or cytologically
confirmed, stage I-III breast cancer with a treatment plan that includes any
neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy(either in the context of standard treatment or a
clinical trial and including chemotherapy, treatments targeting the human epidermal
growth factor receptor protein 2 [HER2]), hormonal therapy or radiation.
- Enrollment must occur according to one of the following: (1) For those receiving
chemotherapy/infusional therapy, patients must enroll during the 4 weeks prior to or
on the day of treatment initiation, (2) For those enrolling during hormonal therapy
and/or radiation, patients must enroll within 6 months of diagnosis of breast cancer,
defined as the date of initial biopsy. Patient may be receiving hormonal therapy,
radiation therapy, or both at the same time of enrollment, (3) Patients who did not
enroll during their chemotherapy are still eligible to enroll during subsequent
hormonal therapy or radiation as long as it is within 6 months of diagnosis.
- Participants must be approached before start of treatment. Patients must be able to
understand, read, and write in English and be able to understand and have willingness
to sign a written informed consent document.
- Patients are eligible regardless of ECOG performance status, life expectancy or,
organ/marrow function.
- Patients must have the ability to access the internet at least once per week, and this
can occur in the patient's home, relatives' homes, work setting, or Dana-Farber (in
addition to coffee shops, libraries, etc if applicable). Having a computer is not
required. An iPad will be provided to any patient who needs one for the duration of
the study.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients with metastatic breast cancer are not eligible to participate.
- Participants who have started their treatment plan are not eligible.
- Those unable to understand, read, or write in English are not eligible.
- Men are not eligible for this study.
We found this trial at
1
site
450 Brookline Ave
Boston, Massachusetts 2215
Boston, Massachusetts 2215
617-632-3000
Principal Investigator: Rachel Freedman, MD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Since it’s founding in 1947, Dana-Farber has been committed to providing adults...
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