Rapid Fire Presentations 2025 National Cancer Survivorship Conference

Managing Menopausal Symptoms in Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study of the Perceived Facilitators and Barriers to the Use of an Online Patient-driven Stepped-Care Platform (#20)

Dorcas Miss Serwaa 1 2 , Shanton Prof Chang 3 , Lewis Mr Gauci 4 , Michael Prof Jefford 5 , Carolyn Associate Professor Ee 6 7 , Martha Prof Hickey 1 2 , Jennifer Dr Marino 8 , Nipuni Mrs Susanto 1 2 , Paul Prof Cohen 9 , Christobel Prof Saunders 10 11 , Kate Rolshoven 12 , Michelle Associate Professor Peate 1 2
  1. Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  2. Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, The Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
  3. School of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  4. Rural Clinical School, Department of Rural Health, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne., Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  5. Department of Health Services Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  6. Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
  7. NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
  8. Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  9. Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  10. Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  11. Department of Surgery, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  12. Consumer Representative, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, , The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

 

Background: Menopausal symptoms are a prevalent issue for cancer survivors, impacting their daily lives. Despite the availability of evidence-based interventions, few receive management. A novel approach to address menopausal symptoms after cancer is needed. An online platform that enables patients to assess their symptoms (patient-driven) and directs them to an appropriate level of care based on their needs (stepped-care) may facilitate access to evidence-based interventions.

Aim: To explore the perceived facilitators and barriers to the adoption and utilization of an online platform designed for the screening and management of menopausal symptoms.

Methods: Eligible cancer survivors representing diverse diagnoses and treatment histories were identified through collaborating organizations and invited via email to engage in semi-structured interviews guided by the Theoretical Domain Framework (TDF). Interview data underwent thematic analysis, mapping themes onto relevant TDF domains as potential facilitators or barriers.

Results: Twenty survivors participated, including six with breast, three ovarian, two neuroendocrine, two acute myeloid leukemia, and one each for vaginal, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma, colorectal, lung cancer and one survivor with multiple diagnosis (breast, multiple myeloma and melanoma). Participants had a mean age of 53.85 ± 13.4 years (range 30-75), with 14 pre-menopausal, 2 peri-menopausal, and 3 post-menopausal prior to treatment. Thirty-nine theme identified. Facilitators included high confidence with mobile technologies, a user-friendly interface, access to internet and devices, participants' identity as 'cancer survivors' to self-manage symptoms, and healthcare professionals’ or consumer advocacy groups’ recommendation of the platform. Barriers identified were limited understanding of the stepped-care model, patient-specific medical factors, cost to access the platform, and time constraints. Participants expressed positive perceptions of the platform concept, and indicated strong intentions to utilize the platform and adhere to recommended care pathways.

Conclusions and Implications: Findings will guide the development of a stepped-care model platform to address menopausal symptoms in cancer survivors.