Abstract CT147: The impact of a technology based program on symptom distress among Asian American breast cancer survivors
Authors: Im Eun-Ok , Yi Jee-Seon , Chee Wonshik 
Published: July 2021

Purpose: Asian American breast cancer survivors are reported to experience physical and psychological symptoms that could be easily avoidable because of their cultural stigma and hesitance related to breast cancer. Also, they are more likely to have delays in getting help, information, and support. Studies have indicated a dire need to support Asian American breast cancer survivors in their symptom management while considering their cultural hesitance and stigma. Technology-based programs using computers and mobile devices are reported to help improve symptom experience of cancer survivors including Asian American breast cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to decide the specific characteristics of Asian American breast cancer survivors whose symptom distress was effectively improved by a technology-based program.

Methods: This study was a part of a randomized controlled trial among 115 Asian American breast cancer survivors. The instruments included: multiple questions on background factors and disease factors, the Cancer Behavior Inventory, the Questions on Attitudes, Subjective Norm, Perceived Behavioral Control, and Behavioral Intention, the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form, and the Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form 34. The data analysis was done through chi-square tests, t-tests, repeated measurement analyses, and decision tree analyses.

Results: The interactions between time and group were significant in the changes of the global distress index (GDI) and physical symptom distress (PHYS) scores (p&lt;.05). Those with high psychological support needs had the largest decrease in the GDI scores (1.253 points). Those with high physical and daily living support needs who had a short U.S. residence period and who were young had the largest decrease in the PHYS scores (1.133 points). Those with high psychological support needs had the largest decrease in the psychologic symptom distress scores (1.511 points).

Conclusions: The findings of this study indicated several characteristics of Asian American breast cancer survivors whose symptom distress was highly decreased by a technology-based intervention (e.g., those who had a short U.S. residence period, those who were young, etc.). These characteristics need to be considered in the future design and implementation of a technology-based intervention among this specific population.

Table 1.Changes in the Symptom Distress scores (n=115).PrePost 1 monthPost 3 monthspPost 3 months- PrepM±SDM±SDM±SDtime *groupM±SDCont. vs. Int.GDICont.1.410±0.6921.445±0.6631.438±0.628.0210.028±0.534.012Int.1.543±0.6961.326±0.6071.325±0.589-0.218±0.498Total1.475±0.6941.387±0.6361.383±0.609-0.092±0.529PHYSCont.1.170±0.5321.242±0.5601.260±0.567.0070.090±0.506.002Int.1.292±0.6131.155±0.5761.089±0.500-0.202±0.459Total1.229±0.5741.199±0.5671.177±0.540-0.052±0.503PSYCHCont.1.525±0.8411.502±0.7551.506±0.740.136-0.019±0.722.157Int.1.657±0.8491.389±0.6881.453±0.704-0.204±0.672Total1.589±0.8431.447±0.7221.480±0.720-0.109±0.702

Citation Format: Eun-Ok Im, Jee-Seon Yi, Wonshik Chee. The impact of a technology based program on symptom distress among Asian American breast cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr CT147.