A new mobile health tool could represent a significant step forward in the aftercare of young women who have survived breast cancer. A recently presented randomized clinical trial shows that an mHealth intervention based on electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) significantly improves the quality of life of adolescents and young adult women with breast cancer. Among other things, the intervention led to fewer complaints in the areas of vaginal health and arm problems. These are complaints that often persist for a long time in this target group.
There is a great need for better digital support. The incidence of breast cancer in women aged 15 to 39 has been rising for decades, and the impact of the diagnosis is often greater in this age group than in older patients. The study was presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). According to Ann H. Partridge, MD, MPH, vice chair of oncology and director of the Program for Young Adults with Breast Cancer at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, traditional care falls short in the post-treatment phase. This is precisely when emotional, physical, and psychosocial consequences come to the fore, while attention from the healthcare system often wanes.
Digital intervention for ongoing support
To bridge this gap, Partridge and her colleagues developed the Young, Empowered & Strong (YES) tool: a web- and app-based mHealth platform that provides information and support based on ePRO signals. When a user reports symptoms such as anxiety, pain, menopausal symptoms, or questions about fertility, finances, or body image, she immediately receives personalized information and relevant help links. The tool also includes additional features such as an expressive writing platform and a moderated chat group for peer contact.
YES is designed as a scalable, accessible, and largely self-administered intervention that does not require intensive involvement from the treatment team. This makes it a potentially valuable addition to existing care, especially for patients who have limited access to regular follow-up care.
About the study
A multicenter RCT included 360 women between the ages of 15 and 39 who had been diagnosed with breast cancer (stage 0–3) in the past three years. After a baseline measurement using the QLACS questionnaire on both general and cancer-related quality of life, participants were randomly assigned to the YES group or regular care.
The differences between the two groups were strikingly clear after six months. In the YES group, overall quality of life improved by an average of 8.7 points, compared to 1.6 points in the control group. For cancer-related quality of life, the improvement was 7.8 versus 3 points, respectively. Both differences were statistically significant.
According to Partridge, the outcome is groundbreaking: “The fact that a scalable mHealth intervention, without a direct link to the treatment team, delivers measurably better outcomes changes our perspective on digital aftercare.”
Fewer complaints thanks to mHealth tool
In addition to quality of life, the researchers analyzed specific symptoms, including fatigue, depressive symptoms, and breast cancer-specific issues. The YES group showed significant improvements in two common complaints: vaginal problems and arm complaints. A slight but non-significant improvement was seen for fatigue.
Other symptoms, such as hot flashes, nausea, cognitive problems, and depressive symptoms, did not improve. Partridge emphasizes that YES needs to be further developed to better address these areas as well.
The potential of digital aftercare
Although the study has limitations, such as possible selection bias, transition to a new platform during the study, and inclusion from three academic centers, it does emphasize the potential of digital aftercare for hard-to-reach target groups. Think of young adults with busy schedules or patients in remote areas who have less access to specialized care.
According to the researchers, an mHealth tool such as YES could become a valuable addition to hybrid care models, which focus on self-management, digital monitoring, and personalized information provision. By actively supporting young women in the period after treatment, healthcare can make a structural contribution to better long-term outcomes, physically, emotionally, and psychosocially.
