Poster Presentation 2025 National Cancer Survivorship Conference

Evaluating implementation and adaptation of EMPOWER-SMS text message support program into BCNA’s Helpline services; a mixed-methods series of studies (#157)

Vicki Durston 1 , Rebecca Raeside 2 , Stephanie R Partridge 2 3 , Andrea L Smith 4 , Amanda Winiata 1 , Sarah Dwyer 1 , Siobhan Dunne 1 , Nashid Hafiz 5 , Ben Smith 4 , Nehmat Houssami 4 6 , Elisabeth Elder 7 8 , Julie Redfern 2 9 , Anna C Singleton 2 4
  1. Breast Cancer Network Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  2. Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  3. Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  4. The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney and Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  5. School of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  6. School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  7. Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  8. Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
  9. Institute for Evidence-Based Health, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia

Introduction: Breast Cancer Network Australia’s (BCNA) 2023 National Experience Survey (N=2512) identified unmet supportive care needs for people with breast cancer, including connecting to post-treatment information and support, and challenges navigating the healthcare system. A key recommendation was augmenting BCNA’s Helpline to include strategies to link members to additional support. EMPOWER-SMS is a co-designed text message program that delivers 6-months of health information, support and links to free health-related services after breast cancer treatment. EMPOWER-SMS received positive feedback in pilot trials, but real-world implementation has not been evaluated.

Aims: To evaluate barriers, enablers, acceptability and feasibility of implementing EMPOWER-SMS into BCNA Helpline services and potential adaptations for priority populations.

Methods: This mixed-methods project will use the enhanced Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance framework to evaluate pilot delivery of EMPOWER-SMS to BCNA members with early-stage breast cancer in regional/rural/remote communities. Reach: n enrolled/n eligible; Representativeness: demographics; Adoption: interviews with Helpline staff; Implementation: costs, fidelity (SMS delivery data, link clicks, opt-outs), participant feedback survey regarding acceptability/utility for connecting to information and healthcare navigation. In parallel, an adaptation framework, including yarning circles/focus groups, will be used to evaluate adaptations for priority populations, including First Nations people, people with metastatic breast cancer, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds and/or people with a disability. Qualitative data will be analysed thematically, and quantitative data will be reported using summary statistics.

Conclusion: This program of work offers an opportunity to respond to emerging preferences and supportive care needs identified by BCNA members, especially those from priority populations. Adding a text message service to the Helpline may enable services to reach a broader audience and enhance members’ access to information and resources. Findings will also inform adaptation and implementation of supportive care innovations into cancer services more broadly.