Abstract P2-13-11: Use of cancer survivorship patient engagement toolkit (CaS-PET) in breast cancer patients
Authors: Rosenblatt Paula , Hertsenberg Lindsey , Son Hyojin , McQuaige Mary , Miller Kenneth , Nahm Eun Shim 
Published: March 2020

Introduction - Cancer survivors may have physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and financial challenges that require coordinated, comprehensive care. Patient involvement programs that focus on education and health promotion help survivors to manage their symptoms and take better control of their total health. At the University of Maryland, a collaborative group developed the Cancer Survivorship Patient Engagement Toolkit (CaS-PET) which includes survivorship care plans, education on health topics, discussion boards, and ongoing communication between providers and patients using a patient portal. A study was performed to test the feasibility and preliminary impact of the CaS-PET program.

Methods - After IRB approval, 30 cancer survivors at the University of Maryland Marlene and Stuart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center who were within 6 months of completion of active treatment were enrolled in a prospective pilot study of the CaS-PET that used a single group pre-post (3 month) design. The outcome measures included changes in quality of life, fear of recurrence, impact of cancer, dietary and exercise behaviors, and selected cancer symptoms. Participants’ demographic characteristics, internet/patient portal experience, and eHealth literacy was collected at baseline.

Results - Among the 30 total participants, 15 (50%) were breast cancer survivors. Of the breast cancer participants, the median age was 57.2±13 years, 66.7% (n=10) were African American, and all were female. 13/15 (86%) participants completed the program and post questionnaires. After the CaS-PET program, participants had improved adherence to treatment (p=0.019), fruit and vegetable consumption (p=0.039), and trend to improved physical activity score (p=0.069). Tests related to psychosocial aspects of health did not show improvement.

PrePostTest StatisticP valueAdherence to treatment25.223.2t=-2.7670.019Fruit and veg consumption9.712.4t=2.3110.039Physical Activity total MET5.16.7t=1.9950.069Global distress index0.90.9t=0.1890.853Fear of recurrence15.016.4t=0.8060.435

Discussion - The Cancer Survivorship Patient Engagement Toolkit (CaS-PET) was successfully administered to breast cancer survivors. Improvements in adherence, diet, and a trend towards improved physical activity were noted at the 3 month time point. While measured changes in fear of recurrence, impact of cancer, and symptom burden did not show significant changes, patients reported to investigators positive experiences from the program. Further longitudinal designed studies are needed with a larger sample and across different age groups.

Citation Format: Paula Rosenblatt, Lindsey Hertsenberg, Hyojin Son, Mary McQuaige, Kenneth Miller, Eun Shim Nahm. Use of cancer survivorship patient engagement toolkit (CaS-PET) in breast cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-13-11.