Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

PRehabilitation and Supportive Care in women with Breast cancer (PROactive-B) (#458)

Suzanne Grant 1 2 , Susannah Graham 3 , Sanjeev Kumar 4 , Shelley Kay 2 , Kim Kerin-Ayres 2 , Justine Stehn 2 , Maria Gonzalez 2 , Jane Cockburn 5 , Sandy Templeton 2 , Gillian Heller 6 , Ash Malalasakera 2 , Sara Wahlroos 4 , Judith Lacey 2
  1. Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  2. Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  3. Surgical Oncology Department, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  4. Medical Oncology, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  5. Patient Advocate, Sydney, NSW
  6. NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Background

Neoadjuvant therapy has become standard treatment for patients with patients with Stage II/III HER2 positive and triple negative breast cancer, and in well selected patients with locally advanced and borderline resectable high risk, luminal B breast cancer. Long term outcomes can be significantly impacted by side effects including fatigue, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity, gastrointestinal disturbance, insomnia, weight gain as well as immune-related adverse events. Providing early supportive care and prehabilitation may mitigate these side effects and improve quality of life.

Methods

We conducted focus groups and interviews to co-design a multi-modal prehabilitation program with consumers and healthcare professionals to support women during neoadjuvant therapy.  The program comprises periodised exercise, education, nursing and specialist support appointments and supportive care therapies such as acupuncture and massage. We conducted a feasibility study to assess the acceptability and explore the effectiveness of the program to maximise functioning and wellbeing during treatment, prior to surgery and at follow-up (6 months).

Results

We report on the results of the co-design phase and provide an interim analysis of the feasibility study. Eleven women with breast cancer and 11 healthcare professionals participated in focus groups and interviews.  Key themes for consumers included: the need for a single point of contact (navigation), preference for a “package” of individualised and organised interventions, along with engagement of the oncologist.

We recruited 23 participants recruited over a 9-10 month period. Of these, there were two withdrawals; 16 completions of the intervention phase; 5 still participating. No drop-outs to date. Exit interviews were completed with five participants. Interim analysis will be presented at the conference. 

Conclusions

The integration of personalised exercise and supportive care programs for women with breast cancer receiving NACT is an important component of holistic cancer care. Results of the PROactive B study will provide insight into the appropriateness and acceptability of a multi-modal prehabilitation program for women receiving NACT for breast cancer.