(080) Feasibility of a Psychoeducational Sexual Health Intervention for Young Women Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract Introduction Young women breast cancer survivors (between the ages 18–50) face troublesome sexual health challenges due to cancer and cancer treatment. Often these women experience decreased sexual functioning, changes in body image and self-esteem, and menopausal symptoms. Yet, communication and clinical support is often not prioritized due to challenges in the healthcare setting (ie, appointment time restraints, reduced frequency of appointments). As a result, sexual health in survivorship is a major unmet need for young breast cancer survivors. We sought to fill this clinical gap by establishing the feasibility of our remote, nurse-led sexual health psychoeducational intervention EMBRACE (Empowerment through Mind and Body Reclamation After Cancer Experience) in a randomized delayed-start pilot study. Objective The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the applicability and acceptability of each of the eight sessions within the EMBRACE intervention. Methods We used a randomized delayed-start pilot study with convenience sampling of young women breast cancer survivors who completed active treatment within the last five years to participate in our 8-session, 16-week, remote delivered, nurse-led EMBRACE intervention. We randomized (N = 40) young women into the immediate start (n = 20) or delayed start (n = 20) groups. All participants were asked about the applicability (“The session seems applicable to me…” and acceptability (“I liked the session…”) following each session. Each item was on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from “completely agree” to “completely disagree.” We also included an open-ended question of “please tell us anything else you would like to share” and used thematic analysis to identify any themes. The questions were sent via e-mail to participants at the conclusion of each session and their responses collected in a REDCap database. Results Forty young women began the intervention and completed at least one session; 38 supplied answers to the applicability and acceptability questions. Thirty-six participants completed all 8 sessions. Between 29 and 35 participants answered the applicability and acceptability questions after each session for a total of 258 responses. For applicability of the sessions to participants’ experience of sexual health in survivorship, 84.5% of responses were “completely agree” and 14% of the responses were “agree” with only 1.6% as “neither agree nor disagree” or “disagreeable.” With respect to acceptability of how well a participant liked a session, 81.8% responses were “completely agree” and 14.3% were “agree” and only 3.9% were “neither agree nor disagree” or “disagreeable.” Three dominant themes emerged from the data as participants described their thoughts and feelings about each session: 1) “speaking to a friend;” 2) educational and informative; and 3) overall gratitude. Conclusions Participants demonstrated an overwhelmingly positive response to the two feasibility measures (applicability, acceptability) on the content of each of the eight EMBRACE sessions. Participants were also complementary of the nurse interventionist’s friendly, open, and safe communication style while delivering informative and educational manner. They expressed gratitude for the positive impact on their sexual health and personal relationships in survivorship. Further evaluation of intervention fidelity is needed to build evidence for the reproducibility of the intervention. Disclosure No.