Oral Presentation 2025 Joint Meeting of the COSA ASM and IPOS Congress

Supporting Women with Adherence to Endocrine Therapy: HT&Me Intervention in Early Breast Cancer (126813)

Jo Brett 1 , Lucy McGeagh 1 , Sarah-Jane Stewart 2 , Ruth Norris 3 , Mary Wells 4 , Sue Thompson 5 , Phil Mawson 3 , Mark Turner 6 , Jane Wolstenholme 7 , Helen Dakin 7 , Peter Donnelly 8 , Henry Cain 9 , Farah Rehman 10 , Sally Kum 11 , Rob Horne 12 , Guy Taylor 3 , Lesley Turner 13 , Jan Rose 14 , Linda Sharp 15 , Eila Watson 1
  1. Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OXON, United Kingdom
  2. Practice & Policy, University College London, London, United Kingdom
  3. Faculty of Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle, Tyne & Wear, United Kingdom
  4. Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
  5. School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
  6. Research Software Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle, Tyne & Wear, United Kingdom
  7. Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxon, United Kingdom
  8. South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Torbay, Devon, United Kingdom
  9. Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle, Tyne & Wear, United Kingdom
  10. Imperial College Healthcare NHSTrust, London, United Kingdom
  11. Breast Cancer Now, London, United Kingdom
  12. Centre for Behavioural Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
  13. Patient Representative, Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom
  14. Patient Representative, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
  15. Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom

Background:
Adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) is critical for reducing recurrence in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, yet up to 50% of women discontinue treatment prematurely. Psychological, behavioural, and informational barriers often underpin non-adherence. The HT&Me intervention—a multi-component, theory-informed self-directed support package—was co-developed with patients and clinicians to address these barriers and support quality of life (QoL).

Objective:
To assess the feasibility and acceptability of HT&Me on AET adherence and quality of life within the UK National Health Service.

Methods:
This single-arm feasibility study recruited 51 women with stage I–III ER+ breast cancer within 14 weeks of initiating AET. The HT&Me intervention included: (1) an educational animation; (2) two personalised nurse-led consultations (in-person, virtual or by telephone); (3) an interactive web-app; and (4) email "nudges" to reinforce engagement. Mixed methods were used to evaluate feasibility, acceptability, and engagement. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sub-sample of participants (n=20) and health professionals (n=14).

Results:
The intervention was feasible to deliver, with high retention (98%) and follow-up (92%). Most participants found the intervention helpful (87%) and reported improved understanding (91%) and motivation to persist with AET (80%). Participants valued the interactive tools such as the side effect diary, setting reminders, and setting goals. Healthcare professionals identified HT&Me as meeting an important unmet need and found both remote and face to face delivery acceptable. Fidelity of delivery exceeded 95%.

Conclusions:
HT&Me is an acceptable and feasible intervention, integrating digital and health professional support to address barriers to AET adherence and improving QoL. Findings informed refinements for a full-scale randomised controlled trial currently underway (ISRCTN24852890).

Implications for Practice:
HT&Me offers a scalable model to improve adherence and QoL in breast cancer survivorship, supporting person-centred, evidence-based psycho-oncology care.