Pilot study of a brief telephone-based intervention (adhERe) to improve adherence to adjuvant hormone therapy in women with early stage breast cancer

HomeResearchOur StudiesPilot study of a brief telephone-based intervention (adhERe) to improve adherence to adjuvant hormone therapy in women with early stage breast cancer

Hormone therapy is routinely prescribed to women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer, and has been found to reduce the risk of recurrence by over half. However, for maximum benefit, these medications must be taken as prescribed. Unfortunately, many women fail to take the correct dose at the instructed frequency and for the full 5 years. We developed a brief telephone-based intervention (adhERe) which uses Motivational Interviewing to help women explore and resolve their attitudes and feelings around adherence, and improve their motivation to take their HT as prescribed. A pilot study will be conducted with 40 women who are non-adherent to their prescribed adjuvant HT. Participants will receive adhERe, consisting of 3 sessions delivered over 6 weeks. Questionnaires and pharmacy re-fill data will be used to explore the feasibility and acceptability of the study design and intervention, and to obtain a preliminary estimate of the effect on adherence.

Jennifer Jones 416-581-8603 or email jennifer.jones@uhn.ca