Self-management education program

Suggested

2 studies · 1 recommendation

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Self-management education program – Breast Cancer

Suggested2 studies

Self-management education programs maintain quality of life during breast cancer recovery

Across 2 studies involving 162 women with early-stage breast cancer, psychoeducational self-management programs preserved quality of life comparable to or better than standard clinical follow-up. An RCT of 112 women found that a nurse-led open access program with four half-day group sessions produced quality of life outcomes equivalent to routine hospital aftercare over two years, as measured by EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23. A longitudinal study of 50 older women (65+) observed less decline in overall quality of life among intervention participants (n=24) compared to controls (n=26) over six months, though the study lacked statistical power for significance. These structured programs, typically combining education with psychosocial support, offer a practical alternative to frequent clinic visits without compromising patient well-being.

Evidence

Open Access Follow-up Care for Early Breast Cancer: A Randomised Controlled Quality of Life Analysis

Authors: Aaronson, Andersen, Andersen, Armes, Beaver, Churn, Collins, Cox, Durif-Bruckert, Elliott, Fallowfield, Fayers, Geurts, Gulliford, Jack, Khan, King, Koinberg, Montgomery, Moschetti, National Cancer Survivorship Initiative (NCSI), Department of Health, Macmillan Cancer Support and NHS Improvement, O'Mahony, Puglisi, Scanlon, Scanlon, Shewbridge, Sprangers, Stark, Taggart, Wheeler, Zigmond

Published: January 1, 2016

In a randomized controlled trial of 112 women recovering from early breast cancer, participants were assigned to standard breast clinic aftercare (n=56) or open access nurse-led aftercare with a psycho-educational self-management program (n=56). The program consisted of four half-day group sessions. Quality of life was measured using EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-BR23, and HADS at baseline and 6-monthly intervals over two years. Multilevel linear regression modelling showed aftercare assignment was not a statistically significant predictor of quality of life on any sub-scale, demonstrating that women in the self-management education group were not disadvantaged compared to those receiving routine hospital follow-up.

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Quality Of Life In Older Breast Cancer Survivors

Authors: Loerzel, Victoria

Published: January 1, 2007

In a longitudinal study of 50 older women (aged 65+) with early stage breast cancer, participants in the psychoeducational support intervention group (n=24) experienced less decline in overall quality of life compared to the wait control group (n=26) over six months of follow-up. QoL was measured using the 50-item Quality of Life-Breast Cancer Survey at baseline, three months, and six months. While overall QoL declined across all participants over the six-month period, the experimental group showed a smaller magnitude of decline. Physical and psychological well-being declined from baseline to six months in both groups. Social well-being improved from baseline to three months but declined at six months. Statistical analysis used Generalized Estimating Equation methods and t-tests, though the study had insufficient power to detect a statistically significant difference between groups.

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