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BackgroundBreast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in females and disease recurrence remains a significant problem. To prevent recurrence, tamoxifen is prescribed for at least 5 years. However, among patients who receive tamoxifen, individual responses are highly variable. These responses are affected by the type, frequency, and severity of endocrine symptoms, as well as adherence rates. Polymorphisms in genes involved in the metabolism of tamoxifen (ie, CYP3A4, CYP2D6) may influence responses to tamoxifen. In this study, the inter-relationships among endocrine symptoms, drug adherence, and genetic polymorphisms in Chinese breast cancer patients receiving tamoxifen therapy will be examined. We hypothesize that patients with more severe endocrine symptoms will be less likely to adhere to tamoxifen treatment. In addition, we hypothesize that a relationship will exist between the severity of tamoxifen-induced symptoms and allelic variations in tamoxifen metabolism-related genes. Although many association studies have determined that select genotypes influence the efficacy of tamoxifen, very few studies have investigated for associations between tamoxifen-induced endocrine symptoms and these polymorphisms.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to characterize genetic polymorphisms in tamoxifen metabolism-associated genes in Chinese women with breast cancer and to explore the inter-relationships between genetic polymorphisms, endocrine symptoms, and adherence to tamoxifen.MethodWe will conduct a prospective cohort study that follows 200 Chinese women over 18 months and assess treatment-related symptoms and genetic variations. Endocrine symptoms and drug adherence will be determined through interview-administered standardized questionnaires. Polymorphisms in drug metabolism genes will be determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction based genotyping method. Data will be analyzed to determine associations between allelic variations, endocrine symptoms, and adherence.DiscussionThe proposed study will evaluate for polymorphisms in gene(s) that are associated with tamoxifen-related endocrine symptoms and adherence with tamoxifen. We will explore the relationships between genotypes, endocrine symptoms, and drug adherence in Chinese breast cancer patients. Findings from this study may assist clinicians to identify patients at higher risk for a worse symptom experience and lower adherence rates and enable them to initiate appropriate interventions. In the long term, the findings from this study may be used to develop and test tailored symptom management interventions for these patients.

Aim: To investigate the effects of a multimodal couple-based sexual health intervention for premenopausal women treated for breast cancer and their partners to provide personalised psychosexual care, and to understand participants' experience of, and adherence to, the intervention. Methods: This is an assessor-blinded, randomised controlled trial. Premenopausal women treated for breast cancer (N = 160) and their partners will be recruited. Dyads will be randomised into an intervention (n = 80) or attention control (n = 80) group. The intervention group will receive the multimodal couple-based sexual health intervention over eight weeks. The intervention comprises five face-to-face and virtual individual couple counselling sessions combined with online reading, a chat-based discussion forum, and telephone calls. The intervention is based on level I-II evidence and a robust theoretical framework. The attention control group will receive usual care plus telephone calls comprising general greetings and reminders to complete follow-up surveys. Sexual adjustment, relationship quality and quality of life will be measured at baseline, after completion of the intervention, three months and six months post-intervention. The project will adhere to the CONSORT-EHEALTH checklist. Qualitative interviews will explore the participants' experience of, and adherence to, the intervention. Discussion: This study will provide the first pragmatic evidence of the effectiveness of a multimodal couple-coping intervention to support premenopausal women and their partners to improve sexuality, relationship quality and quality of life after treatment for breast cancer. Implications for the profession and /or patient care: Sexual health is a neglected area in clinical practice, for patients and partners. The ever-growing population of women treated for breast cancer at younger age has created a more pressing need for the development of tailored sexual health interventions. If effective, this intervention could be incorporated into routine cancer care to provide better support and care for this patient population to enhance sexual health, intimacy and overall well-being. Trial registration: ISRCTN35481498; prospectively registered on 08/05/2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims A randomized controlled trial was conducted to examine the effects of a home-based music-paced physical activity programme guided by Information-Motivation-Strategy (IMS) model and Self-determination theory on exercise-related outcomes for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) after cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Methods and results A total of 130 patients with CHD from a regional CR centre in Hong Kong were recruited and randomly allocated into intervention (n = 65) or control groups (n = 65). The intervention group received theory-guided practical sessions on performing prescribed home-based physical activity with individualized synchronized music, and follow-up telephone calls. The primary outcome was exercise capacity. Secondary outcomes included exercise self-efficacy, physical activity level, and exercise self-determination. Data were collected at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after study entry. The generalized estimating equations model was used to assess the intervention effects. Patients with CHD in the intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in exercise capacity at 3 months [ β = 35.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.69–68.68, P = 0.034] and significantly improved exercise self-efficacy at 6 months (β = 3.72, 95% CI 0.11–7.32, P = 0.043) when compared with the control group. However, no significant group differences were found in physical activity level and exercise self-determination. Conclusion The study findings provide evidence on an innovation on improving the exercise capacity and exercise self-efficacy of patients with CHD. The music-paced physical activity guided by the IMS model and Self-determination theory requires further investigation on its long-term effects in future studies. Clinical trial registration ChiCTR-IOR-17011015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]