Researchers at the Daffodil Centre are testing the effectiveness of EMPOWER-SMS GP – a new text message program designed to support the health and wellbeing of people who have complete early-stage breast cancer treatment alongside GP care.
Completing treatment for early-stage breast cancer is a significant milestone, but many people continue to face challenges in maintaining their health and wellbeing after treatment ends. To address this, researchers are evaluating EMPOWER-SMS GP, a new text message program designed to provide ongoing support alongside general practice care.
The EMPOWER-SMS GP study builds on the success of the original EMPOWER-SMS clinical trial, developed by Dr Anna Singleton, Senior Research Fellow at the Daffodil Centre. The initial trial was delivered from a hospital. Based on feedback from participants saying they would like to receive this program from their GP, the new study is evaluating if implementation in general practice is feasible and useful, and if it will help people manage their health between appointments.
Dr Singleton’s research aims to co-design and implements accessible, scalable digital health services that improve outcomes for people living with and beyond cancer. Her previous EMPOWER-SMS trial was co-designed with people with breast cancer. The trial demonstrated that a health and wellness support program delivered via text messages improved endocrine therapy adherence and was acceptable, useful, and engaging for people recovering from breast cancer treatment. This work was recognised with the Consumer Involvement Award at the Australian Clinical Trials Alliance Trial of the Year Awards.
Why This Program Matters
Many breast cancer survivors report feeling a gap in support after completing treatment. As Dr Singleton explains:
“People finish their treatment, they’re excited, and then they go home. Months go by, and they’re still not feeling quite like themselves. They miss the support they were getting from the community.”
The EMPOWER-SMS GP program was co-designed with consumer representatives to fill this gap. Participants receive four text messages per week for six months, covering topics such as:
- Healthy eating and physical activity
- Mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Managing common side effects like hot flushes and joint pain
- Communicating with doctors and loved-ones
- Links to trusted resources and free community programs
The aim is to complement GP care by providing practical, evidence-based information and connecting people to existing services – delivered directly to their mobile phone.
Feedback from more than 500 participants in the original trial and a national pilot study showed:
Who Can Participate?
You may be eligible to join the EMPOWER-SMS GP study if you:
- Are over 18, live in Australia, and have a mobile phone
- Completed early-stage breast cancer treatment within the last three years
- Are willing to wear an activity watch for 7 days
- Can read and understand English (Grade 7 level)
- Are not diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer or enrolled in another text message study
What’s Involved?
Participants will:
- Receive the EMPOWER-SMS GP program (either immediately or after two years)
- Complete short online surveys over two years
- Wear an activity watch for 7 days at the start and again at six months
"Your involvement will help us understand how digital tools can improve post-treatment care for Australians living beyond breast cancer."
If you would like to discuss the study or have any questions, please contact:
- Phone: 0481 343 613
- Email: [email protected]
