Youth-led Intervention for Cancer Screening

Overseen By Sara Heinert, PhD, MPH

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Disqualifiers: Under 15, Not eligible, Language

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

84 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to boost cancer screening rates by training high school students as health advocates in their communities. The students will discuss the importance of cancer screenings with adults and assist them in enrolling through a local organization. Suitable participants include adults living in New Jersey who are eligible for cancer screenings such as breast, cervical, colorectal, prostate, or lung, and can communicate in English or Spanish. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to enhance community health and raise awareness about cancer screenings.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on increasing cancer screening awareness, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

What prior data suggests that this youth-led intervention is safe?

Research has shown that health programs led by young people are safe and effective in various areas. For instance, one study found that young adults successfully led efforts to increase cancer screening in their communities, with no safety issues reported.

Overall, involving young people to spread awareness and promote healthy habits is well-received and safe. Since this trial focuses on educating and motivating community members rather than providing medical treatments, it is considered safe. Participants can expect a supportive and educational experience. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the youth-led cancer screening intervention because it takes an innovative approach by involving high school students as health advocates. Unlike traditional methods that rely solely on healthcare professionals to promote cancer screening, this intervention empowers young people to engage their communities, potentially reaching underserved populations. The use of motivational interviewing by these students adds a personal touch, encouraging adults to get screened by addressing their individual concerns and barriers. This method not only aims to increase screening rates but also seeks to foster community involvement and education, which could lead to reduced cancer mortality rates and decreased disparities in healthcare access.

What evidence suggests that this youth-led intervention is effective for increasing cancer screening awareness?

Research has shown that educational programs can greatly enhance people's understanding of cancer and the importance of screening. One study found that creatively designed programs effectively increase public cancer knowledge. This trial will evaluate a youth-led cancer screening intervention, training high school students as health advocates to discuss cancer screening recommendations and risk factors with adults in their community. Programs led by young people have been particularly noted for engaging communities and influencing healthy habits. Although direct research on youth-led cancer screening programs is limited, young people using motivational interviewing have shown promise in promoting healthy behaviors. Overall, involving youth as health advocates could significantly increase cancer screening rates in communities. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults eligible for cancer screenings (excluding skin) based on age and risk factors, as well as students aged 15-18 from New Brunswick Health Sciences Technology High School and their adult family members. Participants must be fluent in English or Spanish.

Inclusion Criteria

I am eligible for a cancer screening based on my age and health status.

I am a student or family member of a student at New Brunswick Health Sciences Technology High School.

I am fluent in English or Spanish, and the young person with me speaks the same language.

Exclusion Criteria

I cannot speak English or Spanish fluently.

I am under 15 years old and a student.

I am not eligible for the cancer screening I am interested in.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Youth-led intervention where high school students facilitate discussions about cancer screening recommendations and risk factors with adults in their community.

3 days

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in cancer screening rates and knowledge post-intervention.

2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Youth-led cancer screening intervention

Trial Overview The study tests a youth-led intervention aimed at increasing awareness of the importance of timely cancer screenings among adults who are overdue. It involves young people acting as health advocates within their community.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Youth-led cancer screening intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

High school students will be trained as health advocates and then facilitate discussions about cancer screening recommendations and risk factors with adults in their community. High school students (15-18 years old) from the local community will be recruited for this study, and each student will recruit adults that they live with or are part of their community (i.e. parent) who are eligible for cancer screening. The adult plus youth dyads will all undergo the same youth-led intervention in which the youth will utilize motivational interviewing to discuss cancer screening recommendations and risk factors with their adults and help their adults enroll in cancer screening through ScreenNJ, a community organization that aims to increase cancer screening in New Jersey, reduce cancer mortality rates, and reduce disparities.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Lead Sponsor

Trials

471

Recruited

81,700+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07008781

A Youth-led Intervention to Reduce Healthcare Disparities ... Change in Pre-/post-cancer screening knowledge in the youth using a 7-item assessment that the study team created. Higher scores indicate more knowledge.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11648583/

A Review on Educational Intervention Approaches ... This article reviews the various educational intervention approaches utilized to alter the knowledge and awareness on cancer among the general public.

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772610X24000515

A review calling for research directed at early detection of ... Surveillance, screening and enhancing awareness of childhood cancer will not lead to better outcomes. Childhood cancer at presentation threatens immediate loss ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9838639/

Assessing the Effectiveness of Cancer Screening ... The main objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of interventions aimed at increasing uptake and/or continuing participation in screened cancers.

5. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13187-021-02077-0

Exploring Youth Perceptions About Cancer Prevention and ... This study aimed to characterize adolescents' perspectives on cancer and cancer prevention and to explore their preferences for cancer education.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10597810/

A young adult community health advisor-led intervention to ... The present study revealed that it was feasible to conduct a YACHA-led intervention to increase the utlization of colorectal cancer screening by eligible South ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0749208122000213

A Qualitative Evaluation of the Youth-Check Program The Youth-Check Program is a feasible and useful nurse-led intervention, which can be implemented for the benefit of young people with cancer.

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10629890/

Cancer Screening Behaviors and Associations with ... This study assesses the associations between ACEs, protective factors, patient–provider relationships, stage of cancer at diagnosis, and cancer screening ...

9. journals.sagepub.com journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10901981241231502

Expanding Outcomes in Cancer Screening Safety Net ... Community-engaged patient navigation safety net programs are established as an evidence-based approach to address cancer prevention and early detection efforts.