Veterans Peer Connect Program for Lung Cancer

(VPC Trial)

Overseen By Jacquelyn Pendergast, MS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: VA Boston Healthcare System

Disqualifiers: Non-Black Veterans

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to create a support program specifically for Black Veterans eligible for lung cancer screening. The Veterans Peer Connect Program will provide group sessions and one-on-one support to help participants navigate lung cancer screening and related resources. Researchers will observe and gather feedback to improve the program and assess its effectiveness. The trial seeks Black Veterans who are currently smoking or have quit in the past 15 years, with a history of smoking at least 20 pack-years (a pack-year equals smoking an average of one pack of cigarettes per day for a year), and who have not yet been screened for lung cancer. As an unphased trial, this study aims to develop a supportive resource that could significantly benefit Black Veterans in managing their lung health.

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 the Veterans Peer Connect Program is safe for Black Veterans?

The Veterans Peer Connect Program aims to assist Black Veterans with lung cancer screening. Research on this program examines its delivery and effects, rather than focusing directly on safety. Since it does not involve drugs or medical procedures, safety concerns are minimal. The program includes peer support and guidance, which are generally safe and well-received.

Similar programs prioritize ensuring participants feel supported and informed. No reports of serious risks or negative effects have emerged. Participants often gain more knowledge and confidence in managing their health, indicating the program's safety for those who choose to join. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Veterans Peer Connect Program for lung cancer screening because it offers a unique support system specifically tailored for Black Veterans. Unlike traditional treatments that focus solely on medical interventions, this program emphasizes peer-led support, which could enhance engagement and adherence to lung cancer screening. By fostering a community among Veterans, the program aims to address specific cultural and social barriers, potentially leading to earlier detection and better outcomes. This approach not only fills a gap in current care options but also holds promise for more personalized and effective cancer prevention strategies.

What evidence suggests that the Veterans Peer Connect Program is effective for lung cancer screening?

Research has shown that early detection of lung cancer through screening can significantly improve survival chances, particularly for Veterans at higher risk. The Veterans Peer Connect Program, included in this trial, aims to enhance access to these screenings. Studies have found that Black Veterans often face barriers to lung cancer screening. This program addresses the issue by providing support from fellow Veterans to guide them through the screening process. By focusing on personalized coaching and goal setting, the program seeks to increase the number of Veterans undergoing screening and improve their health outcomes. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is specifically for self-identified Black Veterans who meet the US Preventive Services Task Force guidelines for lung cancer screening. They should still be smoking or have quit within the past 15 years and have a history of at least 20 pack-years of smoking, but haven't yet undergone lung cancer screening.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a Black Veteran.

I currently smoke or quit within the last 15 years and have a 20 pack-year smoking history.

I have not had a lung cancer screening yet.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Co-Design and Development

Co-design of the Vet Peer Connects program to meet the needs of Black Veterans

4-8 weeks

Feasibility Pilot Test

Pilot testing of the Vet Peer Connects program with group orientations and one-to-one support

3 months

Up to 4 group orientations, multiple one-to-one sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for program outcomes and lung cancer screening uptake

3 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Veterans Peer Connect Program

Trial Overview The Vet Peer Connects program is being tested to see if it improves equity, veteran-centeredness, and uptake of lung cancer screening among eligible Black Veterans. It includes group orientations and one-to-one support like coaching and navigation to access VA's lung cancer screening services.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Peer led intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The peer-led program will be pilot tested enrolling 40 self-identified lung cancer screening eligible Black Veterans.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

VA Boston Healthcare System

Lead Sponsor

Trials

73

Recruited

971,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A centralized lung cancer screening program at the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center effectively utilized shared decision-making (SDM) and telehealth to support veterans, with 91 out of 105 veterans opting for low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) after counseling.

Despite high confidence in their screening decisions, many veterans lacked critical knowledge about the risks and benefits of screening, indicating a need for improved patient education and decision support during the referral process.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementing a Telehealth Shared Counseling and Decision-Making Visit for Lung Cancer Screening in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Hoffman, RM., Lang, JA., Bailey, GJ., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06389981

NCT06389981 | Co-Design and Pilot Testing of Peer-led ... To assess outcomes of the Peer-led program, the study team will collect information from Veteran pilot test participants via surveys and data abstraction on ...

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-lung-neoplasms-5-2024-55c5a

Veterans Peer Connect Program for Lung Cancer (VPC Trial) Preliminary data on the outcomes of the Vet Peer Connects program ... Participants are monitored for program outcomes and lung cancer screening uptake. 3 months ...

3. hsrd.research.va.gov hsrd.research.va.gov/impacts/lcs.cfm

VA Promotes High-Quality, Patient-centered Lung Cancer ... Results of this study showed uneven access to lung cancer screening and uptake across VA (see Figure below). In addition, while Black and ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9034418/

A Veteran-Centric Web-Based Decision Aid for Lung ... The National Lung Screening Trial reported false positive rates of 26.3 %, 27.2 %, and 15.9% at baseline, year 1, and year 2, respectively. The Dutch–Belgian ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11378520/

Developing a systems-focused tool for modeling lung cancer ... Early detection through screening dramatically improves lung cancer survival rates, including among war Veterans, who are at heightened risk.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12400730/

Facilitators and barriers of lung cancer screening participation Early identification of lung cancer through low-dose computed tomography screening is associated with improved outcomes. However, in areas where ...

7. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2795178

Factors Associated With Declining Lung Cancer Screening ... In this cohort study of 43 257 US veterans offered LCS, 32% declined; veterans who were older or had more severe comorbidity were more likely to decline ...