Cancer Survivor Stories for Preventing HPV Cancers

Overseen By William A Calo, PhD

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Under 18, No device access, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

200 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluates the association of a narrative communication intervention on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates among 9- to 12-year-olds. The intervention is a brief video from local cancer survivors narrating their stories with an HPV-related cancer diagnosis and recommending the HPV vaccine for cancer prevention. RCT participants will be the parents (n=200) of children ages 9-12 who have not initiated HPV vaccination. Participants will be randomized (1:1) to our intervention or control (placebo video) one week before their child's next primary care visit. Our primary outcome is HPV vaccine initiation (first dose of the HPV vaccine series) among children ages 9-12 at the time of the wellness visit. The study also explores the effect of narratives on theory-based mediators of HPV vaccination, including parents' cognitive (e.g., risk perception) and emotional reactions (e.g., hope, anticipated regret).

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 seems unlikely since the study focuses on parents watching a video about HPV vaccination for their children.

How does the treatment 'Cancer survivor narrative' differ from other treatments for preventing HPV cancers?

The 'Cancer survivor narrative' treatment is unique because it uses personal stories from cancer survivors to help prevent HPV-related cancers, focusing on emotional and psychological support rather than medical interventions like vaccines or drugs. This approach is novel as it leverages the power of storytelling to influence behavior and awareness, which is different from the standard medical treatments available for HPV prevention. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Cancer survivor narrative for preventing HPV cancers?

Research shows that sharing personal cancer stories can help survivors cope with their experiences and may motivate behavior change in others. For example, culturally grounded narratives have been used successfully to promote HPV vaccination, suggesting that survivor stories could similarly encourage preventive behaviors against HPV-related cancers. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for parents of children aged 9-12 who haven't started the HPV vaccine. The study focuses on how a video with cancer survivors' stories might encourage vaccination.

Inclusion Criteria

My child has not received the HPV vaccine.

I am the parent of a 9-12 year old who goes to a Penn State Health clinic.

I can read and understand English or Spanish.

Exclusion Criteria

Does not have access to a mobile phone, table, desktop or laptop computer

I can read and understand either English or Spanish.

My parent or guardian is under 18.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2 weeks

Intervention

Parents receive either a narrative video from cancer survivors or a placebo video about healthy eating tips approximately two weeks before their child's wellness visit.

2 weeks

1 virtual visit

Clinic Visit

Children attend a scheduled clinic visit where HPV vaccine initiation is assessed.

1 day

1 in-person visit

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for HPV vaccine initiation and psychological mediators one week after the intervention.

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Cancer survivor narrative

Trial Overview The trial tests if watching a brief video of cancer survivors talking about their experience with HPV-related cancers affects parents' decision to vaccinate their kids against HPV.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Cancer survivor narrative video Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Parents randomly assigned to this arm will receive the video intervention using their personal devices around two weeks before their child's wellness visit. The video will be approximately 4 minutes in length with three parts: (1) Cancer experience, (2) Vaccine recommendation, and (3) Closing message.

Group II: Placebo video Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Parents randomly assigned to this arm will receive the placebo video using their personal devices around two weeks before their child's wellness visit. The placebo video is about healthy eating tips for families with children. The video will be approximately 4 minutes in length.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

515

Recruited

2,873,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The HPV vaccine is crucial for females who are survivors of childhood cancer, as they are at a higher risk for HPV-related complications due to the effects of cancer treatment.

The Children's Oncology Group recommends HPV vaccination for all eligible female survivors of childhood cancer, highlighting the need for strategies to improve vaccination uptake among this vulnerable group.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Human papillomavirus vaccination and the primary prevention of cancer: implications for survivors of childhood cancer. Klosky, JL., Foster, RH., Hodges, J., et al.[2018]

Citations

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Examining cancer survivorship trajectories: Exploring the intersection between qualitative illness narratives and quantitative screening instruments. [2023]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Narrating the nadir: examining personal and vicarious stories of cancer-related low points among survivors and romantic partners. [2020]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Surviving childhood leukemia in a Latin culture: an explorative study based on young adults' written narratives. [2014]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"It's Not JUST Skin Cancer": Understanding Their Cancer Experience From Melanoma Survivor Narratives Shared Online. [2018]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

HPV Vaccine Intent among Adult Women Receiving Care at Community Health Centers. [2022]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Human papillomavirus vaccination and the primary prevention of cancer: implications for survivors of childhood cancer. [2018]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Human papillomavirus vaccination in female pediatric cancer survivors. [2015]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Trends in Risks for Second Primary Cancers Associated With Index Human Papillomavirus-Associated Cancers. [2021]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Are we missing an opportunity for cancer prevention? Human papillomavirus vaccination for survivors of pediatric and young adult cancers. [2021]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Unsupervised exercise in survivors of human papillomavirus related head and neck cancer: how many can go it alone? [2021]