Legal Services for Caregivers of Colorectal Cancer Patients

Overseen By Arjun Gupta, MBBS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota

Disqualifiers: Diminished capacity to consent

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

20 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to explore how free legal services can improve the lives of caregivers and patients dealing with advanced colorectal cancer. Participants will receive personalized legal assistance to address financial and emotional challenges during cancer treatment. The trial seeks patient-caregiver pairs where the patient has recently been diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer and is either starting or planning to start treatment. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for participants to access valuable support services that can significantly enhance their quality of life during treatment.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

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

What prior data suggests that these legal services are safe for caregivers of colorectal cancer patients?

Legal services differ from medical treatments because they don't cause physical side effects. In this study, participants will receive free legal help from Cancer Legal Care, an organization that has assisted people with cancer in Minnesota.

No evidence suggests harm from receiving legal support. In fact, these services might reduce stress and financial worries, making it easier for patients and caregivers to manage health-related tasks. Therefore, no safety concerns exist with using legal services in this study. Participants can feel assured that this support is safe. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how providing free, personalized legal services can impact caregivers of colorectal cancer patients. Unlike medical treatments that focus on physical symptoms, this approach addresses the legal and practical challenges caregivers often face, such as navigating insurance or handling employment issues. The hope is that by reducing these burdens, caregivers can better support their loved ones, potentially improving overall patient outcomes.

What evidence suggests that legal services are effective for caregivers of colorectal cancer patients?

Research has shown that legal support can improve life for caregivers and patients dealing with colorectal cancer. In this trial, participants, specifically patient-caregiver dyads, will receive free, personalized legal care services from Cancer Legal Care. One study found that personalized legal help can ease financial worries, reduce stress, and simplify health-related tasks. This support can also enhance coping skills and boost self-esteem for both patients and caregivers. By addressing financial and legal issues early, legal services can alleviate the burden on families. These benefits suggest that legal services could effectively enhance life quality for those affected by colorectal cancer. ^{1 5 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for pairs of colorectal cancer patients in advanced stages (Stage III or IV) and their caregivers. Patients must have been diagnosed within the last 3 months, be starting or planning to start systemic therapy, understand English, and have a life expectancy over 6 months. Both patient and caregiver must be adults who can consent to participate.

Inclusion Criteria

I can understand and communicate in English.

I am recognized as a caregiver by someone with colorectal cancer.

My doctor believes I have more than 6 months to live.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants receive free, personalized legal care services from Cancer Legal Care

3 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for continued engagement and acceptability of the intervention

3 months

Extension

Participants may continue to access free personalized legal care services beyond the study period

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Legal Services

Trial Overview The LEGACY CARE pilot study is testing whether free legal services provided by Cancer Legal Care can help improve financial and psychosocial outcomes for those caring for someone with colorectal cancer. The direct intervention lasts 3 months but participants may use the services longer.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Patient - Caregiver Dyads Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants (i.e. patient-caregiver dyads) will receive free, personalized legal care services from Cancer Legal Care (CLC), a nonprofit organization located in the Twin Cities of Minnesota.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota

Lead Sponsor

Trials

285

Recruited

15,700+

Citations

1. ascopubs.org ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/OP-25-00565

Colorectal Cancer Legal and Administrative Burden ... We collected patient-reported outcomes (assessing comfort with health-related tasks, financial toxicity, stress, coping, and self-esteem) at ...

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-caregiver-burden-8-2025-f8364

Legal Services for Caregivers of Colorectal Cancer Patients This is a single center single-arm, pilot study of proactive and early connection with free legal care services for patient-caregiver dyads affected by ...

3. ctv.veeva.com ctv.veeva.com/study/legal-guidance-and-advocacy-for-caregivers-legacy-care-a-pilot-clinical-trial-for-caregivers-of-p

A Pilot Clinical Trial for Caregivers of Persons With Colorectal ... This is a single center single-arm, pilot study of proactive and early connection with free legal care services for patient-caregiver dyads ...

4. patlynk.com patlynk.com/trial/NCT07153016

Legal Guidance and Advocacy for Caregivers of Colorectal ... This study aims to explore the benefits of offering free legal support to caregivers and patients dealing with colorectal cancer.

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12465131/

The trajectory of caregiver burden and the predictive role ... 204 primary caregivers of CRC patients completed the survey. The overall caregiver burden showed an initial increase and subsequent decrease, ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9689650/

Occupational and Financial Setbacks in Caregivers of ... Our findings point to temporary and long-term occupational and financial setbacks in the context of CRC.

7. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07153016

LEgal Guidance and AdvocaCY for CAREgivers (LEGACY ... This is a single center single-arm, pilot study of proactive and early connection with free legal care services for patient-caregiver dyads ...

8. ovid.com ovid.com/journals/jcopr/fulltext/10.1200/op-25-00565~colorectal-cancer-legal-and-administrative-burden-support

Colorectal Cancer Legal and Administrative Burden... Cancer Legal Care (CLC) is a nonprofit organization providing free legal services to persons affected by cancer (patients and care partners) across Minnesota.