Text Messaging for Lung Cancer Screening

Overseen By Francisco Cartujano, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Rochester

Disqualifiers: Up-to-date lung cancer screening

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether a text messaging program can encourage people to get screened for lung cancer. Participants will either receive these text messages or be mailed educational materials and a flyer about the screening program. The goal is to determine if the messages make lung cancer screening more appealing and feasible. Individuals aged 50 to 80 who haven't had their annual lung cancer screening, have smoked heavily, and have a cellphone with unlimited texting may qualify for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative approaches in promoting lung cancer screening.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this text messaging program is safe for promoting lung cancer screening?

Research has shown that text message reminders can increase cancer screening rates, including for lung cancer. These messages remind and encourage people to get screened.

Studies have found that text messaging is generally safe and well-liked by participants, with no reports of serious side effects or problems. The main aim is to make screening easier and remind people at the right time.

This program uses the same technology as regular text messages, which most people use daily without issues. Therefore, it is expected to be safe and easy for trial participants. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the text messaging program for lung cancer screening because it offers a new way to encourage people to get screened. Unlike traditional methods, such as mailed educational materials, this approach uses text messages to actively engage and remind individuals about the importance of lung cancer screening. This method is convenient and accessible, potentially reaching a wider audience by delivering timely and personalized messages directly to their phones. By increasing participation in screening programs, this strategy could lead to earlier detection and better outcomes for those at risk of lung cancer.

What evidence suggests that this text messaging program is effective for promoting lung cancer screening?

Research has shown that text messaging can encourage people to undergo cancer screenings. Studies have found that these programs can increase screenings for cancers such as breast and cervical cancer. In this trial, participants in the "UR Screened" arm will receive a text messaging program designed to promote lung cancer screening. For lung cancer, text messages can help identify individuals who might need screening, particularly among middle-aged and well-educated groups. However, some studies have noted that not everyone responds to these messages, which might reduce their effectiveness. Overall, text messaging shows promise, but more research is needed to understand its specific impact on lung cancer screening rates. ^{3 4 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals aged 50-80 who currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years, have a significant smoking history (20 pack-years), and haven't had their annual lung cancer screening. They must have a cellphone with unlimited texts, speak English/Spanish, and be willing to complete surveys.

Inclusion Criteria

Have a functioning cellphone number with unlimited text messaging capacity

Currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years

I haven't had my yearly lung cancer screening yet.

Exclusion Criteria

Being up-to-date on their annual lung cancer screening

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants are randomized to either a text messaging program or receive mailed educational material to promote lung cancer screening

12 weeks

No in-person visits, communication via text or mail

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for lung cancer screening uptake and satisfaction with the intervention

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Text messaging program

Trial Overview The study is testing whether text messages can encourage people to get screened for lung cancer. Participants will receive these texts along with educational materials about lung cancer screening to see if it increases screening rates.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: UR Screened Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A text messaging program designed to promote lung cancer screening

Group II: Control group Active Control 1 Intervention

A mailed educational material along with a flyer for the lung cancer screening program

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Rochester

Lead Sponsor

Trials

883

Recruited

555,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12386249/

Effectiveness of Technology-Based Interventions in Promoting ... According to a study led by Mount Sinai researchers, results demonstrated a 10-year lung cancer-specific survival rate of 81% (95% CI, 79–84%) and a 20-year ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07227480

Advancing Lung Cancer Screening One Text at a Time Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either UR Screened (a text messaging program designed to promote lung cancer screening) or a ...

3. ajmc.com ajmc.com/view/the-feasibility-and-equity-of-text-messaging-to-determine-patient-eligibility-for-lung-cancer-screening

The Feasibility and Equity of Text Messaging to Determine ... Text messaging shows promise for assessing smoking status and identifying lung cancer screening eligibility, particularly among middle-aged, educated ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169500225002983

Screening 216 The role of text message triage in assessing ... Text message triage had a low response rate in our regional LCS programme, limiting its potential. Further qualitative evaluation of why uptake rates were low, ...

5. jmir.org jmir.org/2017/8/e296/

Text Messaging Interventions on Cancer Screening Rates Conclusions: Text messaging interventions appear to moderately increase screening rates for breast and cervical cancer and may have a small ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5590008/

Text Messaging Interventions on Cancer Screening Rates Text messaging interventions appear to moderately increase screening rates for breast and cervical cancer and may have a small effect on colorectal cancer ...

7. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07227480?cond=cancer

Advancing Lung Cancer Screening One Text at a Time The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of text messaging to promote lung cancer screening. Detailed ...

8. insideprecisionmedicine.com insideprecisionmedicine.com/topics/oncology/digital-health-program-improves-lung-cancer-screening-uptake/

Digital Health Program Improves Lung Cancer Screening ... False-positive CT results were more common with the digital intervention than enhanced usual care, at a corresponding 12.7% versus 8.4%. A ...