TIP66 Feasibility of the THRIVE Wellness Program for Young Breast Cancer Survivors: A Multicenter Pilot Trial
A new clinical trial is set to evaluate the THRIVE Wellness Program, a targeted intervention designed to support young breast cancer survivors as they navigate long-term physical and psychosocial challenges. While survival rates for breast cancer have climbed to over 90% for those diagnosed between 2015 and 2021, young survivors—defined as those diagnosed at age 40 or younger—often face persistent issues like fertility concerns, body image disruption, and anxiety that standard follow-up care may not fully address.
Did You Know? The THRIVE Wellness Program utilizes the shared medical appointment model to facilitate group sessions, a strategy that helps ensure the intervention remains eligible for standard insurance coverage and reimbursement.
Addressing the Needs of Young Survivors
Researchers are launching a randomized, multicenter trial to determine if structured lifestyle medicine can bridge the gap in survivorship care. The study will enroll 24 female survivors who were diagnosed with stage I to III breast cancer at or before age 40. Participants must be within five years of their diagnosis, currently off active chemotherapy, and possess an ECOG performance status of 0 to 1.
The program consists of six weekly, 90-minute in-person group sessions. Clinicians will guide participants through pillars of lifestyle medicine, including nutrition, physical activity, sleep hygiene, and psychosocial strategies. By focusing on a “growth mindset” and the management of late-stage treatment effects, the program aims to empower women to optimize their long-term health and emotional well-being.
Study Design and Goals
The trial relies on a randomized design where participants are assigned to either the immediate intervention group or a control group that will receive the program at a later date. Investigators will use comprehensive, validated surveys to measure changes in lifestyle behaviors, coping mechanisms, and overall quality of life. Success for the trial is defined by reaching a feasibility threshold of at least 70% in enrollment, attendance, and survey completion rates.
Expert Insight: The focus on a younger demographic is significant because these survivors face a unique set of long-term milestones, such as fertility planning and career development, that require specialized, lifestyle-based support beyond clinical oncology check-ups.
Next Steps for the Trial
The study is currently pending approval from the institutional review board. Once that authorization is granted, investigators will begin the screening and enrollment process for the 24 participants. Following the six-week intervention, researchers plan to use both descriptive and inferential statistics to compare the health outcomes of the THRIVE group against the control participants. This data could determine whether such group-based lifestyle interventions should be integrated into standard survivorship care models across broader health systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to participate in the THRIVE program trial?
The trial is open to female breast cancer survivors who are 45 years old or younger, were diagnosed at age 40 or younger with stage I to III disease within the last five years, are not currently on chemotherapy, and are English proficient.
What topics does the THRIVE intervention cover?
The 6-week program focuses on lifestyle medicine pillars, including physical activity, nutrition, sleep quality, and psychosocial coping skills, specifically tailored to managing the late effects of cancer treatment.
How will researchers measure the success of the program?
Researchers will evaluate the program’s feasibility based on a 70% threshold for enrollment, attendance, and survey completion, while using statistical comparisons to assess improvements in quality of life and emotional well-being.
How do you think community-based wellness programs might change the way we approach long-term cancer survivorship?