Trial Information

An Online Psychoeducational Intervention for Young Women With Breast Cancer and Their Partners

Women diagnosed with breast cancer at or before the age of 40 experience greater distress
and poorer quality of life than women diagnosed later in life. In addition to having to
cope with the range of issues common to all women with breast cancer, young women face
unique challenges such as loss of fertility, concerns for young children, and interruptions
to early-stage careers. The presence of adequate social support is a mitigating factor for
distress in young women, and spousal support in particular has been shown to play a crucial
and distinctive role in determining how well a woman adjusts to breast cancer.
Unfortunately, the evidence suggests well-spouses are significantly distressed themselves,
and often fall short in their attempts to meet the needs of their ill partners despite
generally good intentions. Consequently, researchers have recommended that psychosocial
interventions be geared to couples. However, traditional counseling interventions may not
appeal to younger couples with numerous responsibilities and time constraints.

The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility, process, and outcomes of an
innovative online intervention tailored to the unique needs of young women and their
partners. The primary goal is to improve partners' relationship functioning and capacity to
work together as a team in relation to the illness. The secondary goal is to combat
feelings of isolation by creating a community of similarly affected couples. The
intervention will be delivered via a professionally moderated, password-protected website
and entail: Information relevant to young couples with breast cancer; structured,
interactive learning modules; and a discussion board. The online modality is particularly
suited to the younger demographic targeted by this project because of its familiarity,
comfort, convenience, and flexibility.

A non-randomized, repeated measures analysis of variance design will be used to test the
intervention. Seventeen couples will be recruited within the Greater Toronto Area.
Questionnaires assessing relationship functioning, psychological adjustment, and quality of
life will be administered to participants at baseline and at completion of the 7-week
program. Qualitative data from the website and treatment satisfaction questionnaire will be
analyzed thematically in order to improve the intervention and its delivery.

The potential for this online intervention to fill a void in support options available to
both young women with breast cancer and their partners is vast. Following completion of the
project, not only will there be a demonstrable product in the website, but the investigators
will have the knowledge with which to further test the intervention in a RCT. The ultimate
impact of the proposed project will be the creation of an accessible, cost-effective,
empirically validated tool that could help to improve the quality of life of all young
couples coping with breast cancer, regardless of geographic location, in the years to come.