Randomised trial of an intervention for reducing delay in older patients with breast cancer
Sharon Love with Amanda Ramirez, Alison Bish, Caroline Burgess, Myra Hunter, Michael Richards, Julietta Patnick and Jane Wardle (London)
The aim of this study is to develop, implement and evaluate an intervention to encourage early help seeking amongst older women with breast symptoms. It will be delivered at the point when the women leave the routine protection afforded by the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP). It is in line with government recommended practice and complementary to the breast screening programme. The research has been discussed with representatives of the NHSBSP who are supportive of its aims. It is expected that the intervention will increase women’s knowledge about breast symptoms and risk, promote disclosure of symptoms to close friends and relatives, reduce perceptions of barriers to seeking help, and increase intentions to seek help. The ultimate aim of the intervention is to reduce the proportion of older women with breast cancer who delay their presentation, and thereby save lives.
Phases I and II of the study will develop the intervention and check its efficacy. Then in phase III the study will randomise women attending for their last mammogram within the NHS Breast Screening Programme to a 10-15 minute interview covering how the patient should be breast aware in the future or to standard care.
We have funding for this study and are starting on phase I.
