Educational Support for Lung Cancer Screening

Overseen By Ronald Myers, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Ronald Myers

Disqualifiers: Lung cancer, Recent hospitalization, Dementia, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

822 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if education and counseling can improve lung cancer screening rates among individuals with a history of smoking. The researchers propose that better education might help both patients and healthcare providers understand the benefits of early screening, which can detect lung cancer when it's easier to treat. Participants will either engage in educational activities and counseling or complete surveys. Suitable candidates include those who have smoked for at least 20 years, currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years, and haven't had a lung screening in the past 11 months. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to valuable research that could enhance lung cancer prevention strategies.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on education and counseling for lung cancer screening.

What prior data suggests that this educational intervention is safe for lung cancer screening?

Research has shown that both counseling and education are safe and well-accepted methods to support lung cancer screening. Counseling effectively helps people quit smoking, especially when combined with other treatments, making it both safe and beneficial for those undergoing lung cancer screenings.

Educational programs have increased lung cancer screening rates and improved understanding among patients and healthcare providers. No reports of negative effects from these educational activities indicate they are safe to participate in.

Overall, both counseling and education are non-invasive and carry minimal risk, making them safe choices for anyone considering joining this type of trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores innovative ways to improve lung cancer screening through educational support. Unlike traditional treatments that focus directly on medical interventions, this trial emphasizes counseling and education for both patients and healthcare providers. By integrating educational activities and shared decision-making (SDM) counseling, this approach aims to enhance understanding and participation in lung cancer screening. Researchers hope to find out if this method can lead to earlier detection and better outcomes for patients by empowering them and their providers with more information and support.

What evidence suggests that education and counseling might be effective for improving lung cancer screening?

Research has shown that education and counseling can greatly increase lung cancer screening rates. In this trial, Group A (Patients) will participate in educational activities and counseling, which studies have shown lead to more screenings among high-risk individuals. One study discovered that using decision-making tools with doctors increased screening rates, and this strategy will be included in the trial's counseling. Counseling plays a crucial role by helping patients understand the benefits and risks of lung cancer screening, making participation more likely. Overall, these strategies have successfully promoted early detection through screening. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults aged 50-77 who currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years, with a significant smoking history. They must be able to communicate in English or Spanish and have an upcoming primary care visit. Excluded are those recently hospitalized, with dementia, prior lung cancer, or recent CT scans.

Inclusion Criteria

Practice Level: Practice using the main electronic medical record (EMR) of each system, in order to run appropriate patient recruitment reports

Practice Level: Primary care practice (family medicine, geriatrics, internal medicine) in one of the 4 participating health systems

I can communicate in either English or Spanish.

Exclusion Criteria

Patient Outreach: Prior history of lung cancer

I was hospitalized within the last 60 days.

Patient Outreach: Dementia diagnosis codes F03.90 or F03.91 in EHR

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Providers and patients undergo educational activities and counseling to improve lung cancer screening

4 months

Multiple sessions (online and in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for repeat annual lung cancer screenings and diagnostic follow-up

11-16 months

Long-term Follow-up

Participants are monitored for tobacco cessation services and lung cancer screening referrals

Up to 5 years

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Counseling
• Education

Trial Overview The study evaluates if education and counseling can increase lung cancer screening rates among smokers or recent quitters. It involves survey administration, electronic health record review, and educational activities aimed at both healthcare providers and patients.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Group A (Providers): (survey, online educational activity) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Participants complete survey on study. Participants undergo online educational activity on study. Participants undergo distance learning on study.

Group II: Group A (Patients): (EHR, educational activity, counseling)) Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Patients undergo EHR review on study. Patients undergo educational activity on study. Patients also undergo SDM counseling once on study.

Group III: Group B (Patients): (survey) Active Control 2 Interventions

Patients undergo EHR review on study and complete telephone survey throughout the trial.

Group IV: Group B (Providers): (survey) Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants complete survey at baseline and end of study survey.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ronald Myers

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

820+

Thomas Jefferson University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

475

Recruited

189,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A 15-minute educational DVD significantly increased cancer patients' knowledge about nutrition and managing chemotherapy side effects, as shown by improved survey scores after the intervention.

Most participants found the DVD informative and useful, with 71% reporting they applied tips from it, suggesting that multimedia education can effectively support patients during chemotherapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of an early education multimedia intervention in managing nutrition-related chemotherapy side effects: a pilot study. Thompson, J., Silliman, K., Clifford, DE.[2021]

Patients with lung cancer who received education about treatment and rehabilitation during chemotherapy had significantly lower rates of severe treatment side effects (14.52% vs. 37.27%) compared to those who did not receive this information.

The intervention group also showed better outcomes in terms of daily protein intake (54.84% vs. 70.00% low intake), lower prevalence of depression (51.61% vs. 70.91%), and improved performance status (75.81% vs. 55.45%).

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Relationships between patient knowledge and the severity of side effects, daily nutrient intake, psychological status, and performance status in lung cancer patients. Tian, J., Jia, LN., Cheng, ZC.[2018]

Cancer patient education programs are crucial, especially for those undergoing active treatment, as they help manage treatment side effects and improve coping strategies.

Future improvements in these programs should focus on using appropriate measurement tools, ensuring adequate sample sizes, and incorporating psychological techniques to enhance patient support and potentially reduce healthcare costs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cancer patient education: reality and potential. Rimer, B., Keintz, MK., Glassman, B.[2019]

Individualized diet therapy is crucial for cancer patients, emphasizing the need for tailored dietary plans based on individual assessments and periodic reassessments.

Education for cancer patients should include information on side effects and various preventive and therapeutic measures, recognizing that what works for one patient may not work for another, thus providing multiple alternatives for each issue.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The nurse's role in nutritional management of radiotherapy patients. Schreier, AM., Lavenia, J.[2008]

Cancer patient education should go beyond just providing information; it must also include teaching coping skills and new strategies to manage the disease, which can lead to better treatment adherence and reduced anxiety.

Focusing on the different phases of cancer care can help identify essential educational content, and ongoing research is crucial for developing effective teaching methods and evaluating their impact on patient outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Information and education across the phases of cancer care. Adams, M.[2019]

In a study of 101 adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, 83% reported experiencing adverse events, highlighting the common side effects of anticancer drugs.

The research found that 11% of adverse events and a significant portion of medical consultations and hospitalizations were linked to a lack of therapeutic education, emphasizing the need for better patient education on treatment and supportive care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Potential clinical impact of therapeutic education in patients treated with anticancer drugs]. Santucci, R., Aatmani, AE., Lescoute, A., et al.[2017]

An 11-minute educational DVD combined with a group discussion led by an oncology nurse effectively improved patients' understanding of chemotherapy side effects and self-care management.

Surveys conducted after the class and at an eight-week follow-up indicated that this approach empowered patients and families, enhancing their confidence in managing side effects of chemotherapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Empowering individuals to self-manage chemotherapy side effects. Fee-Schroeder, K., Howell, L., Kokal, J., et al.[2022]

Cancer patients and their families have diverse psychological and educational needs, prompting healthcare professionals to implement a range of educational activities from one-on-one sessions to group programs across various settings.

Innovative teaching strategies, such as imagery, are being utilized to effectively address these needs, particularly during different phases of the patient's illness, highlighting the importance of tailored educational approaches.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cancer patient education: what, where, and by whom? Crosson, K.[2007]

A wellness education (WE) intervention significantly improved health-promoting behaviors, such as smoking cessation and dietary awareness, among 126 patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing icotinib treatment over a 12-week period.

The WE intervention also led to enhanced quality of life and reduced anxiety and depression scores in both patients and their caregivers, indicating its effectiveness in supporting both physical and mental well-being during cancer treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Influence of wellness education on first-line icotinib hydrochloride patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer and their family caregivers. Yanwei, L., Minghui, F., Manman, Q., et al.[2019]

Lung cancer screening programs using computed tomography have significantly improved early detection, which can help reduce mortality rates associated with the disease.

These programs not only focus on screening but also provide education, support smoking cessation, and address other tobacco-related health issues, highlighting the need for evolving guidelines as new risk factors and tests emerge.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Computed Tomography Scanning for Early Detection of Lung Cancer. Jacobson, FL., Jaklitsch, MT.[2019]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11396147/

Dietary Counseling Outcomes in Patients with Lung ... The mean percentage of body weight loss was significantly lower in the nutrition counseling group than in the routine care group at 3–4 weeks of follow-up.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10940996/

Lung Cancer Screening: An Opportunity to Promote ... A meta-analysis including 28 studies revealed that high levels of physical activity were associated with a lower risk of developing lung cancer.

3. journal.chestnet.org journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(24)05623-X/fulltext

Missed Opportunities for Lung Cancer Screening Among ... Annual lung cancer screening using low-dose CT (LDCT) imaging effectively reduces mortality from lung cancer and is recommended for people ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0012369216622936

Impact of a Lung Cancer Screening Counseling and ... A centralized counseling and shared decision-making visit impacts the patient's knowledge about the eligibility criteria, benefits, and harms of lung cancer ...

5. ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-018-0680-6

Physical activity programming and counseling preferences ... This systematic review identifies and differentiates PA programming and counseling preferences of adult cancer survivors across various cancer survivor groups.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7066706/

Physical Activity and Exercise in Lung Cancer Care Although growing evidence supports the safety and efficacy of exercise in lung cancer, both after surgery and during and after medical treatments, most patients ...

7. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2777244

Screening for Lung Cancer: US Preventive Services Task ... The USPSTF recommends annual screening for lung cancer with LDCT in adults aged 50 to 80 years who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or ...

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1556086415330367

Increasing Physical Activity and Exercise in Lung Cancer An uncontrolled trial of lung cancer patients (all stages) in 2013 reported ~70% of patients who completed a training program remained physically active. These ...

9. cancer.gov cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2025/lung-cancer-screening-helping-people-quit-smoking

Using Lung Cancer Screening to Help with Smoking ... A program that combines intensive counseling and cessation drugs was very effective at helping smokers being screened for lung cancer quit, ...