“Joven y Fuerte Metastásico”: Integrative Oncology Intervention for Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background and context: Breast cancer (BC) patients in Mexico are frequently diagnosed at advanced stages, with stages III or IV comprising up to 60%. Advanced BC (ABC) patients face distinct practical and emotional challenges and are recognized to be vulnerable to additional emotional distress and psychosocial issues, thus needing special supportive interventions. Equally significant are the consequences of the illness for their partners, children, parents and peers. However, in Mexico, a middle-income country with significant socioeconomic limitations, cancer control efforts have been predominantly directed to enhance medical care, while psychological and supportive interventions have not been a priority, especially among the ABC patients. Aim: To promote the empowerment of ABC patients, their children, spouses and caregivers by developing a supportive care model to help them cope better throughout the complex process of ABC. This proposed support intervention is an innovative approach for psychosocial support in a variety of modalities adapted for ABC patients' needs. This project is being supported by the SPARC Metastatic Breast Cancer Challenge. Strategy: Our target population includes patients with ABC followed at the National Cancer Institute in Mexico City. A supportive care model will be developed based on two main interventions: Support groups: Comprises a support group exclusively designed for women with ABC. Also, a toll-free telephone support session will be provided for patients with transportation restrictions to share their concerns. Integrative oncology techniques: This approach involves the implementation of four integrative oncology techniques, which include: occupational therapy, expressive creative techniques, mind–body interventions, and acupuncture. Policy process: The implementation of this adaptive model will allow us to understand the repercussions of the proposed strategy, to prioritize specific techniques in subsequent interventions. This novel support intervention will provide ABC patients, their caregivers, and children, with techniques to better cope through the disease process. We intent to further increase this model to reach patients of other medical institutions. Outcomes: At least 80 patients and their caregivers will participate in the proposed intervention. The results of this project will give us grounds to establish a replicable scheme, ensuring that ABC patients' needs will be addressed in an integral approach. This intervention aims to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. What was learned: At the end of this project a proven supportive care model will be defined and shared with other oncological clinical care centers and NGOs. Ultimately, we aim to contribute to the established guidelines in Mexico for ABC patients.