SAN ANTONIO – A groundbreaking mobile health (mHealth) intervention has demonstrated significant improvements in the quality of life for adolescent and young adult breast cancer survivors. The intervention, which utilizes electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs), was showcased at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) held from December 9-12, 2025. The study highlighted improvements in symptoms related to vaginal and arm issues, offering a new avenue for post-treatment care.
The incidence of breast cancer among women aged 15 to 39 has been on the rise, increasing by an average of 0.6% annually between 1975 and 2022. According to Dr. Ann H. Partridge, vice chair of medical oncology and chief clinical strategy officer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, young adults face unique challenges post-diagnosis. “Young adults with breast cancer are more likely to suffer both emotionally and medically after a breast cancer diagnosis than older women,” Partridge noted during her presentation.
Addressing Unmet Needs in Survivorship
Dr. Partridge, who also serves as a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, emphasized the healthcare system’s current shortcomings in addressing the needs of young survivors. “While many acute physical complaints resolve following initial treatment, the long-term physical, emotional, and psychosocial impact on a young woman’s life trajectory may worsen or only become evident in survivorship,” she explained.
In response to these challenges, Partridge and her team developed the Young, Empowered & Strong (YES) mHealth tool. This web- and app-based platform offers personalized support by responding to ePRO data. It provides tailored information and resources for symptoms such as anxiety, pain, and menopausal issues, while also addressing concerns like fertility and body image.
Clinical Trial Insights
The YES tool was evaluated in a multicenter randomized controlled trial involving 360 women aged 15 to 39 who had been diagnosed with stage 0-3 breast cancer within the past three years. Participants were assessed using the Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors (QLACS) questionnaire, measuring both general and cancer-specific quality of life.
At baseline, the mean QLACS scores were 86.3 for general and 52.5 for cancer-specific quality of life in the YES arm, compared to 79.7 and 48.9 in the usual care arm. Higher scores indicate poorer quality of life.
After six months, those in the YES group showed a significant improvement, with general quality of life scores decreasing by 8.7 points compared to a 1.6-point decrease in the usual care group. Cancer-specific scores also improved more in the YES group, with a 7.8-point decrease versus a 3-point decrease in the control group.
Implications for mHealth Interventions
“The fact that a remote, scalable mHealth intervention that does not directly link into the patient’s care team but supports patients to self-manage their symptoms and concerns led to significant improvements is paradigm changing,” Partridge stated. This finding suggests that low-touch interventions can be effective, even with minimal clinician involvement.
In addition to quality of life improvements, the trial noted significant reductions in arm and vaginal symptoms, common issues among young survivors. However, improvements in fatigue were modest, and no significant changes were observed in depressive symptoms or other menopausal issues.
Challenges and Future Directions
While the YES tool shows promise, Partridge acknowledged areas for improvement. “The intervention did not appear to improve certain menopausal, anxiety, or depressive symptoms, and we need to do more work to improve the tool,” she said. Despite these limitations, the intervention holds potential for other underserved populations, such as rural Americans and busy young adults.
Study limitations included potential biases and the impact of transitioning to a new platform mid-study. The trial was conducted at three academic sites, which may offer more resources than typical clinics. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, with additional support from Susan G. Komen.
As the healthcare landscape evolves, tools like YES could redefine support for young breast cancer survivors, offering scalable solutions to enhance their quality of life.
