Acceptability and feasibility of a self-management intervention for women prescribed tamoxifen

Abstract

Objective:

Up to 50% of breast cancer survivors prescribed tamoxifen do not take it as prescribed for the full duration, which is linked to increased risk of recurrence and mortality. This paper tests the feasibility and acceptability of a self-directed psychoeducational intervention to support medication taking.

Design:

A single arm pre–post design was used with 33 women with suboptimal adherence to tamoxifen (scores ⩽ 24 on the Medication Adherence Rating Scale, range 5–25) taking part in the intervention over 2–12 weeks.

Method:

Feasibility was assessed via eligibility, uptake and retention. Questionnaires were completed pre- and post-intervention, and qualitative interviews were conducted to assess acceptability of the materials.

Results:

Recruitment and uptake were good, with 87% of eligible participants agreeing to participate. Two thirds of participants recruited to the study completed the follow-up questionnaires (66%). The qualitative interviews showed that the participants found the materials acceptable and helpful. Paired samples t-tests showed small improvements in adherence over time, as well as improvements in psychosocial targets of the intervention, namely; necessity and concern beliefs, personal control, coherence, distress, symptom experience and self-efficacy for managing side-effects.

Conclusion:

The intervention appears to be acceptable and feasible in this population and has the potential to improve both adherence and quality of life in breast cancer survivors prescribed tamoxifen. Larger scale trials are needed however to establish the efficacy of the materials.