Most breast cancer cells (70-75%) have estrogen and/or progesterone receptors, and can be treated with 5-10 years of anti-hormonal therapy to prevent breast cancer from growing. However, many breast cancer patients (40-50%) do not take their recommended daily anti-hormonal therapy, which could potentially increase their risk of dying by 49%. Main reasons women do not take anti-hormonal medications are unpleasant side effects and lack of access to effective follow-up care. To better support women, the After Breast Cancer (ABC) clinic was created by BC Cancer and BC Women’s Hospital.
Studies show that when cancer patients complete surveys about their health, it can improve patient care and cancer outcomes.
In this study, we will implement an interactive online system for patients to complete surveys about their health and wellbeing before their next clinic appointment and again six months later. The aims of this pilot study are to evaluate if (1) an online patient portal can be feasibly implemented into routine breast cancer follow-up care and (2) if patients and nurses find that using ePROs in health care consults is a valuable addition to standard care. If this approach to care is successful, it could better support patients and nurses to work together to create a personalized plan of care that may help patients follow the recommended daily treatments and improve their cancer outcomes.