Overview
The Moving On ABC Trial is a psychosocial support research project designed to address a critical but often overlooked phase in the journey of breast cancer survivors: life after treatment.
While medical care and early detection are widely emphasized, the period following primary cancer treatment is often marked by emotional, psychological, and social challenges. Survivors may feel lost, anxious, or unsupported as they transition from active treatment to a new, uncertain phase of life. The Moving On ABC trial seeks to fill that gap by offering structured follow-up, emotional support, and accessible information, helping survivors heal not just physically — but mentally and emotionally.
This trial is one of the first of its kind in Pakistan, combining research and care to understand what kind of post-treatment support can meaningfully improve survivors’ quality of life.
Why This Trial Matters
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Pakistan. Advances in detection and treatment mean that more women are surviving — but survival does not automatically equal recovery. Many survivors face:
- Ongoing anxiety about recurrence
- Depression or low mood
- Fatigue and body image issues
- Uncertainty about health monitoring
- A sense of isolation or being “left behind” after treatment ends
Despite these well-documented concerns, psychosocial care is rarely integrated into the follow-up process. The Moving On ABC Trial is designed to evaluate whether structured support, delivered through practical and culturally sensitive methods, can help bridge that gap.
What the Trial Involves
Participants in the trial receive a combination of:
Regular Follow-Up Calls
We stay in touch to check on each participant’s well-being, answer questions, and offer guidance. These calls create a sense of continuity and help detect emerging psychological or health concerns.
Optional One-on-One Therapy
Some participants are offered free therapy sessions with trained psychologists. These sessions focus on managing anxiety, improving coping strategies, and rebuilding confidence.
Supportive Educational Materials
Participants receive information in plain language about post-treatment care, managing side effects, understanding emotional changes, and when to seek medical or psychological help. Materials are tailored to be relevant, culturally sensitive, and accessible.
Who Can Participate
We invite breast cancer survivors who have completed their primary treatment (such as surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy) to join the trial.
Participants must be:
- Adults aged 18 or above
- Women diagnosed with Stage I–III breast cancer
- Based in Pakistan and able to receive phone calls or attend check-ins
- Emotionally and physically stable enough to participate in light assessments and follow-ups
Participation is entirely voluntary, and confidentiality is ensured throughout.
Research Goals
The trial is not only about providing support — it is also designed to rigorously evaluate the impact of such support on survivors’ mental health, quality of life, and emotional recovery.
Key questions we aim to answer:
- Does structured follow-up reduce emotional distress in survivors?
- Can timely therapy prevent long-term psychological complications?
- What kind of information and support do survivors find most useful?
- How can we scale this model across Pakistan?
This data will help us advocate for policy change and integrate survivor support into national cancer care pathways.
Our Values
The Moving On ABC Trial is guided by values that put women first:
Empathy: Listening without judgment
Evidence: Using data to shape care
Equity: Reaching women across diverse backgrounds
Empowerment: Helping survivors feel strong and in control of their lives again
Led by Survivors, Backed by Experts
Defeat Cancer is proud to lead this initiative in partnership with mental health professionals, researchers, and survivors themselves. We believe that those who have lived through cancer have unmatched insight into what true healing looks like — and that their voices must shape the future of breast cancer care in Pakistan.
Contact & Participation
For more information or to refer a potential participant:
📞
📧 info@defeatcancerpk.com
🌐 www.defeatcancerpk.com
Let’s build a world where surviving breast cancer doesn’t mean surviving alone.