Background: Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients experience psychosocial problems and their quality of life is negatively affected. Considering the increase breast cancer, empowerment of these patients is one of the important factors affecting their survival. mHealth as a useful tool that increased patient empowerment which limitations to accessing health care. WhatsApp in cancer management is a form of mHealth. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, empowerment-based WhatsApp program for mental health of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.

Methods: The study involved a pre-post intervention and 1 month follow up by Using a WhatsApp-based program, that evaluated the effects of a 12-week program in improving mental health among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients in Iran. The main topics of this program were general knowledge of breast cancer, medication and side effects management, physical activity and psychological effect of breast cancer and coping with them. Eligible participants (n = 76) were recruited randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. The intervention group (n = 38) received the empowerment-based WhatsApp program and the usual care. The control group (n = 38) received only the usual care with health care providers. Mental health was assessed before, immediately after, and 1 month after the intervention by using the Persian DASS-21with a web-based questionnaire. ANOVA was applied for statistical analysis. 

Results: The mean age of the study participants was 35.15 (SD 9.57) years. A statistically significant decrease in stress (P<.001), anxiety mean scores (P<.001), and depression scores (P<.001) compared with the control group at 12 and 16 weeks (follow-up).

Conclusion: This study demonstrated the key role of empowerment based on WhatsApp program in improving mental health of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. it is recommended that digital empowerment be used as a convenient, cost-effective, and useful method in patients with breast cancer.

Keywords: Mental Health, Empowerment, WhatsApp, breast cancer