Objectives
Women treated for breast cancer often experience persistent body image concerns that affect wellbeing and quality of life. We developed 'Accepting your Body after Cancer (ABC)', a seven-session online group intervention based on CBT. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of evaluating ABC in a randomised controlled trial.
Sample and Setting:
We aimed to recruit 120 women who had completed active breast cancer treatment. Participants were recruited from hospitals, cancer charities, and social media across the UK. Using permuted block randomization, participants were randomised 1:1 to ABC plus a psychoeducational body image booklet or to a control condition receiving only the booklet.
Procedures:
ABC was delivered online over seven weekly two-hour group sessions, co-facilitated by a clinical psychologist and cancer support specialist. The intervention incorporated CBT techniques targeting unhelpful thoughts and avoidance, alongside exploring body functionality, media literacy, and self-compassion. Feasibility was assessed via recruitment, retention, and outcome completion at baseline, 1-week, 3-months, and 6-months post-intervention. Acceptability was evaluated through questionnaires and interviews. Proposed primary outcomes were the Kessler Distress Scale (K10), Body Appreciation Scale (BAS), and FACT-B: Breast Cancer Subscale, and secondary outcomes included the Body Image Scale (BIS) and BREAST-Q: Sexual Wellbeing Scale.
Results:
The recruitment target (N=120; Mage = 51.2) was met, with 83.3% retention and no differences in outcome completion or drop-out rates by condition. Sixty percent of intervention participants attended at least six sessions, reporting high satisfaction (M= 4.2/5). Qualitative feedback highlighted shifts toward self-acceptance, shared strength, and practical tools. Participants rated the research experience positively (M=3.9/5). Preliminary analyses indicated significant time×condition interactions, favouring ABC on the BAS, BIS, and FACT-B.
Conclusion and Clinical Implications:
ABC is feasible and acceptable, with promising early benefits, supporting progression to a fully-powered trial. Online delivery offers scalable CBT-informed support for body image concerns in breast cancer survivors.