RCT of a Group Intervention for Women With a Family History of Breast Cancer
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
One in 10 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) and approximately 5% of all BC is believed to be hereditary. Women with a family history experience high levels of perceived risk for developing BC. Elevated risk perceptions for BC have been associated with psychological distress, which, in turn, can interfere with screening adherence. In our completed CBCRI-funded study, we developed and standardized a group intervention designed to address the psychological issues associated with having a family history of BC. Results demonstrated that the intervention led to significant improvement in levels of anxiety and depression, improved BC risk factors/genetics knowledge and was associated with optimal screening behavior. The proposed study will rigorously test the group intervention in comparison to standard risk counselling in a sample of 150 women recruited from Familial BC clinics in Toronto. The interventions will be examined for their impact on a) psychological functioning, b) BC risk/genetic knowledge and c) screening behaviors.
Condition | Intervention | Phase |
---|---|---|
Breast Neoplasms |
Behavioral: Supportive-Expressive Group Therapy |
Phase 3 |
Study Type: | Interventional |
Study Design: | Allocation: Randomized Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment Masking: Open Label Primary Purpose: Prevention |
Official Title: | A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Group Intervention for Women With a Family History of Breast Cancer |
- Psychosocial functioning (using standardized instruments) [ Time Frame: 1 year ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Breast Cancer risk/genetic knowledge [ Time Frame: 1 year ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Screening behaviors [ Time Frame: 1 year ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Post Traumatic Growth [ Time Frame: 1 year ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Cost effectiveness [ Time Frame: 1 year ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
Enrollment: | 150 |
Study Start Date: | July 2001 |
Study Completion Date: | January 2007 |
Primary Completion Date: | December 2006 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure) |
Keywords: Breast cancer, genetics, psychotherapy, group counselling, randomized control trial, risk counselling, women's mental health, familial breast cancer.
One in 10 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) and approximately 5% of all BC is believed to be hereditary. Women with a family history of BC experience high levels of perceived risk and vulnerability for developing BC. Elevated risk perceptions for BC are difficult to modify and have been associated with psychological distress that, in turn, can interfere with screening adherence. The specific objectives of the current randomized trial are to determine the effects of a supportive-expressive group intervention on a) psychosocial functioning (using standardized instruments), b) BC risk/genetic knowledge and c) screening behaviors in women with a family history of breast cancer receiving standard genetic risk counseling. Preliminary data will be collected to examine the cost effectiveness of the intervention.
The study is being conducted in the following University of Toronto affiliated teaching hospitals: Mount Sinai Hospital; Preventive Oncology Program, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences; Toronto Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre; University Health Network; North York General Hospital; Credit Valley Hospital. A total of 150 women with a family history of BC will be randomized in a ratio of 2 to 1 to participate in an 8 weekly/ 4 monthly support group or to a control arm that receives educational materials.
The study has been funded by the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative (CBCRI) of the National Cancer Institute of Canada since 2001. To date 66 women have been enrolled in the study and we anticipate a total of 90 women will be enrolled by the end of the current funding year in June 2004. At this rate it is expected that recruitment will be completed in June 2005, the last intervention groups will be completed by January 2006 and that analysis of the final study results will be completed by June 2006. Analysis of baseline data will begin in September 2005 once the last study groups have been initiated and a manuscript reporting the final results will be prepared by June 2006. Two years of funding is requested for these activities.
Significance: Technological advances in molecular biology and genetics are occurring rapidly. Our proposed research has direct relevance for advancing knowledge on the communication and provision of risk/genetic information to individuals with a family history of BC and has both direct and indirect relevance to individuals at all stages of cancer. Improved counselling techniques for those with a family history may impact on the prevention and management of BC through improved surveillance and preventive techniques, enhanced psychosocial functioning and wellbeing through increased psychological resilience. In addition, effective risk counselling interventions may facilitate the understanding of and decision-making around genetic testing, and the adjustment to a cancer diagnosis, should these women with family histories later develop the disease.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 70 Years |
Genders Eligible for Study: | Female |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | Yes |
Inclusion Criteria:
- at least one 1st-degree relative with Breast Cancer
- age 18-70 years
- live within one hour of downtown Toronto
- score higher than 15 in Breast Cancer Anxiety Scale (BCAS)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Carrier status for genetic mutation (i.e. BRCA1) known
- Previous diagnosis of breast cancer or other malignancy (other than non-melanoma skin cancer)
- History of major psychiatric disorder, such as schizophrenia, active psychosis, untreated major depression, as defined in the DSM IV and obtained through a semi-structured psychiatric interview
- Failure to provide informed consent
Canada, Ontario | |
University Health Network | |
Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 2C4 |
Principal Investigator: | Mary Jane Esplen, PhD | University Health Network, Toronto |
No publications provided
Responsible Party: | Dr. Mary Jane Esplen, University Health Network |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00150917 History of Changes |
Other Study ID Numbers: | UHN02-0603-E, CBCRA 015445 |
Study First Received: | September 6, 2005 |
Last Updated: | June 12, 2008 |
Health Authority: | Canada: Ethics Review Committee |
Keywords provided by University Health Network, Toronto:
Breast cancer Genetics Psychotherapy Group counselling |
Randomized control trial Risk counselling Women's mental health Familial breast cancer |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Breast Neoplasms Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Breast Diseases Skin Diseases |
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on October 16, 2012