Financial Compass for Head and Neck Cancers

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Disqualifiers: Non-English/Spanish speakers, Minors, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

50 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if a financial program can assist people with head and neck cancer who face financial difficulties. It compares a new approach, Financial Compass, with usual care to identify and reduce financial stress more effectively. Participants will either use the Financial Compass program or continue with their regular care. The trial seeks individuals diagnosed with head and neck cancer who are experiencing financial challenges. Participants must understand and speak English or Spanish. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could enhance financial support for cancer patients.

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

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It focuses on financial intervention, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

What prior data suggests that the Financial Compass intervention is safe for patients with head and neck cancer?

Research has shown that the Financial Compass program helps patients with head and neck cancer manage money-related stress. This stress, known as financial toxicity, can complicate cancer treatment and even affect survival rates.

The Financial Compass is not a drug or medical procedure. It identifies financial issues and offers support, such as a personalized care plan and weekly guidance. Since it involves no medication or surgery, it has no physical side effects.

In summary, the Financial Compass is a safe option for head and neck cancer patients facing financial challenges. No reports of negative effects exist because it is a supportive service, not a medical treatment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Financial Compass for head and neck cancers because it goes beyond traditional medical treatments, aiming to address financial barriers patients face during their care journey. While standard treatments for these cancers focus on surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, Financial Compass offers a tailored care pathway that includes a patient needs assessment and weekly personalized support. This intervention could significantly ease the financial stress associated with cancer treatment, potentially improving overall patient well-being and outcomes. By providing individualized navigation to access resources, it empowers patients to manage their care more effectively, which is a fresh approach in the realm of cancer support.

What evidence suggests that the Financial Compass intervention is effective for addressing financial hardship in head and neck cancer patients?

Research shows that patients with head and neck cancer who struggle financially often have lower survival rates. Specifically, a lower income links to a 50% decrease in overall survival and a 40% decrease in cancer-specific survival. In this trial, the Financial Compass program aims to address these financial challenges by identifying and solving money-related issues that might affect health. Studies have shown that reducing financial stress can improve quality of life and may even increase survival rates. This suggests that Financial Compass could be a helpful tool for improving outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Elizabeth Bouchard

Principal Investigator

Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for head and neck cancer patients who are facing financial hardship. The study aims to see if a special program called Financial Compass can help them better than the usual care they receive.

Inclusion Criteria

Screen positive for financial hardship on the validated Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST) measure

I have been diagnosed with head and neck cancer.

I can communicate in English or Spanish.

Exclusion Criteria

Unwilling or unable to follow protocol requirements

I am unable to understand or sign the consent form by myself.

English or Spanish is not my primary language.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention Development

Participants complete interviews and take part in advisory boards to develop and refine the Financial Compass intervention

Up to 2 years

Randomized Control Trial

Patients are randomized to receive either the Financial Compass intervention or usual care

12 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for the efficacy and feasibility of the Financial Compass intervention

12 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Financial Compass

Trial Overview The trial tests whether the Financial Compass program, which includes best practices, surveys, discussions, and financial navigation interviews, is more effective in identifying and addressing financial issues compared to standard support.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Aim 3 Group I (Financial Compass intervention) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Patients receive the Financial Compass intervention on study including a patient needs assessment, a tailored care pathway and weekly individualized navigation and support to access resources.

Group II: Aim 2 (discussion) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants take part in a community advisory board and/or a health care delivery advisory board on study to discuss, develop and refine the Financial Compass intervention.

Group III: Aim 1 (interview) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patients complete interviews on study for Financial Compass intervention development and refinement.

Group IV: Aim 3 Group II (usual care) Active Control 2 Interventions

Patients receive usual care on study including medical consultations and supportive care.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

427

Recruited

40,500+

Citations

1. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/319730/a-financial-intervention-financial-compass-to-identify-and-address-financial-hardship-among-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-financial-compass-trial/

A Financial Intervention (Financial Compass) to Identify ... Previous research has shown that head and neck cancer patients experiencing financial hardship have decreased overall and cancer specific ...

2. clin.larvol.com clin.larvol.com/trial-detail/NCT06896695

A Financial Intervention (Financial Compass) to Identify ... Will assess efficacy of the Financial Compass intervention among head and neck cancer patients. Will use the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST), ...

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-financial-stress-3-2025-88897

Financial Compass for Head and Neck Cancers Previous research has shown that head and neck cancer patients experiencing financial hardship have decreased overall and cancer specific survival. Using a ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8665427/

Targets for improving disparate head and neck cancer ... found that lower income was associated with 50% worse overall survival and 40% worse disease‐specific survival for all head and neck subsites.

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10914354/

Measuring financial toxicity in head and neck cancer The current study systematically reviews the literature about financial toxicity (FT) in head and neck cancer patients.

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06896695

Study Details | NCT06896695 | A Financial Intervention ... Using a financial intervention, Financial Compass, may be more effective than usual care in identifying and addressing financial hardship in patients with head ...

7. ctv.veeva.com ctv.veeva.com/study/a-financial-intervention-financial-compass-to-identify-and-address-financial-hardship-among-head-a

A Financial Intervention (Financial Compass) to Identify and ... Previous research has shown that head and neck cancer patients experiencing financial hardship have decreased overall and cancer specific ...

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9880590/

Understanding Financial Toxicity in Patients with Head and ... The purpose of this review is to describe FT related to head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment, including quantifications of direct and indirect costs and ...

9. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10116977/

Financial toxicity among head and neck cancer patients ... We found that approximately 25.9% of patients and 44.4% of caregivers reported high financial toxicity (COST<17.5). Caregivers reported high ...

10. bulletin.entnet.org bulletin.entnet.org/clinical-patient-care/article/22912358/financial-toxicity-in-patients-with-head-and-neck-cancer

Financial Toxicity in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Financial stress can lead to decreased treatment compliance, poorer health outcomes, and even increased mortality. Patients experiencing ...