# The younger women’s wellness after cancer program: results from feasibility testing in Aotearoa New Zealand (the ‘Kōwhai study’)

## TL;DR

A wellness program for younger breast cancer survivors in New Zealand was tested and found to be feasible and acceptable.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the feasibility of an internet-based wellness program tailored for younger breast cancer survivors in Aotearoa New Zealand.

## Key findings

- The intervention was completed by 93.3% of participants, indicating strong adherence.
- Free-text feedback showed participants found the program and study processes acceptable.
- The study successfully recruited and retained participants, with high completion rates for questionnaires.

## Abstract

This paper reports the feasibility testing of the Younger Women’s Wellness after Cancer Program in Aotearoa New Zealand (the ‘Kōwhai Study’) by examining (a) intervention uptake, adherence, and sustainability over time and (b) the feasibility of the proposed trial methods.

Participants were female, aged between 18 and 50 years, and had completed stage I or II breast cancer treatment within the previous 24 months. They also had internet access. Participants were randomly allocated 1:1 to the intervention or control group. The intervention consisted of systematic 12-week internet-based individualised coaching based on promoting a sustainable healthy lifestyle and managing treatment side effects. The control group received the usual care expected from their treating healthcare teams. Outcomes were measured at baseline, week 12, and week 24. The sample size for the study was 60 participants.

Target N = 60 was reached, with groups evenly matched socio-demographically. All participants completed all questionnaires at baseline (average 15–20 min to complete). Complete intervention/control questionnaire data was provided at week 12 by 76.7%/73.3% and week 24 by 86.7%/70.0% respectively. The 12-week intervention was completed by 28/30 participants. Free-text data strongly indicated intervention and study processes were acceptable and feasible to participants.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, the intervention is valued by the target group and the study processes are feasible.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12620000260921. Registered on 27 February 2020.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00520-025-09601-8.