Mapping the landscape of psychosocial support for younger women after breast cancer: Foundations for intervention development and evaluation

Summary

Each year in the UK, around 5,000 women aged 45 or younger are diagnosed with breast cancer. While survival rates are high, younger women often face a very challenging time after treatment ends. This phase, known as 'survivorship', can involve ongoing challenges such as body image issues, fertility concerns, early menopause, dating, parenting, returning to work, and financial difficulties. Many younger women also report feeling isolated or that their emotional needs are not being met.

Despite these unique issues, there is little support specifically for younger women during survivorship. This project aims to find out what support currently exists, where the gaps are, and how to improve services for younger women who are living beyond breast cancer.

This project has three parts:

1. Reviewing research - We will look at existing research to find out what types of survivorship support have been tested for younger women, and what has helped.
2. Mapping current services - We will explore what survivorship support is currently available for younger women in the UK, such as through the NHS or charities. We'll also speak to people who provide this support to understand any gaps or challenges.
3. Planning next steps - We'll bring together what we've learned to decide the best way forward. Then, we will write a grant application to either adapt existing support, evaluate current services, or develop a new support programme.

Younger women with lived experience of breast cancer will help shape every part of this project, ensuring the work reflects their real-life needs.