Aged under 35? Testers needed to trial a new app

An exciting study, led by Mary Pegington, a Breast Cancer Research Dietitian, is looking for volunteers to trial a new app.

Mary, along with her team, are looking for women, 35 years old or younger, with a family history of breast cancer, to be part of their exciting new research project to test a new app designed to help support women to choose healthy behaviours and reduce their breast cancer risk.

What is the purpose of the study?

They have developed an app to help promote healthy behaviours amongst young women at increased risk of developing breast cancer. Healthy behaviours such as eating healthily and staying a healthy weight, getting plenty of exercise and not drinking too much alcohol could lower the chances of developing breast cancer. They now wish to find out whether women find the app acceptable and user friendly, and how they can improve it.

Are you suitable to take part?

You can join the study either if:

You attend the breast cancer Family History, Risk and Prevention Clinic at The Nightingale Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester

OR

You are at increased risk according to the list below.

Are you an at increased risk of breast cancer?

You could be at increased risk if you have:

• One first-degree female relative diagnosed with breast cancer younger than age 40 years
• One first-degree male relative diagnosed with breast cancer at any age
• One first-degree relative with breast cancer in both breasts where the first cancer was diagnosed younger than age 50 years
• Two first-degree relatives, or one first-degree and one second-degree relative, diagnosed with breast cancer at any age
• One first-degree or second-degree relative diagnosed with breast cancer at any age and one first-degree or second-degree relative diagnosed with ovarian cancer at any age (one of these should be a first-degree relative)
• Three first-degree or second-degree relatives diagnosed with breast cancer at any age.

Please contact the study team if you are unsure about your risk (details below). Further details regarding your risk can also be found on the Participant Information Sheet.

What will taking part involve?

The researchers will give you access to the app over two months and will require an online questionnaire to be filled in after each month. There’s also an optional invite to a private Facebook group as well as an optional Teams meeting at the start of the study. You may also be invited to take part in an optional interview with a specialist researcher once the two months is over.

What are the possible benefits of taking part?

The researchers hope that you will learn more about what you can do to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, and the app will support you in making changes to your health behaviours. You will have the opportunity to meet other young women who are at increased risk of breast cancer and the private Facebook group will offer peer and health care professional support. You will be contributing to breast cancer research and helping to shape future research using the app.

Do you need any experience to take part?

You do not need any special experience to take part. The researchers are looking for women from different backgrounds with varying skills and experiences to offer their opinions and feedback. Everyone taking part will be treated with complete respect and your opinions and experiences will be listened to without judgement.

If you have any questions about the study or if you are interested in taking part then please email Mary Pegington on lifestyleresearch@nhs.net and take a look at the Participant Information Sheet.