Social Determinants Screening for Cancer Survivors

Overseen By Afsana Rinky

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

120 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a social needs screening tool for cancer survivors in Metro Detroit. It will assess whether at least 80% of participants can complete the tool and if it aids in establishing support for food access and digital inclusion. The trial seeks individuals who have or had cancer, reside in Metro Detroit, speak English, and are connected to specific cancer care programs. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could improve support systems for cancer survivors.

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

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on social needs rather than medical treatments, so you likely won't need to change your medications.

What prior data suggests that this screening tool is safe for cancer survivors?

Research has shown that screenings and referrals for social factors affecting health are generally safe. These screenings assess factors such as income, education, and access to food, which can impact health. Studies have found that addressing these social factors can improve health outcomes without posing direct safety risks to participants. Previous studies have reported no harmful effects from using these screenings.

This trial does not test a new drug or therapy, so there are no concerns about side effects or adverse reactions. Participants will fill out a survey to identify social needs, and the study will explore how to support them based on their responses. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about implementing social determinants of health screening and referral for cancer survivors because it offers a holistic approach that addresses more than just medical needs. Unlike traditional cancer survivor care, which often focuses primarily on medical follow-up and treatment of physical symptoms, this method seeks to identify and address social factors like housing, nutrition, and access to healthcare that can significantly impact a survivor's overall well-being. By integrating these screenings, the approach aims to improve not only health outcomes but also quality of life for cancer survivors, which is a relatively new and promising direction in post-cancer care.

What evidence suggests that this screening tool is effective for cancer survivors?

Research has shown that factors like unemployment and income inequality can greatly affect cancer outcomes. Patients facing these issues have a 22% higher risk of dying from cancer compared to those who do not. This trial will implement social determinants of health screening and referral to identify and address these problems, potentially improving cancer survival rates. Efforts that consider these factors have increased cancer screening rates by an average of 8.4 percentage points. Recognizing and addressing these social needs can significantly improve cancer care and outcomes for survivors. ^{1 3 5 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals in Metro Detroit who have been diagnosed with various cancers, including Multiple Myeloma and Gastrointestinal Cancer. Participants should be cancer survivors or currently undergoing treatment. The study aims to include those facing social challenges related to their health.

Inclusion Criteria

Reside in metropolitan Detroit (Wayne, Oakland, Macomb counties)

English proficient

Actively receiving care through one of Karmano's Cancer Institute's outpatient clinics OR post-treatment survivors in the Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors (ROCS) longitudinal cohort study who have reported past food insecurity and agreed to be contacted for further research

Exclusion Criteria

None

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person or via telephone)

Needs Assessment

Participants complete a social needs screening tool to identify non-medical factors influencing health

At enrollment

1 visit (in-person or via telephone)

Intervention

Participants are referred to community-based resources based on their social needs

8 weeks

Follow-up calls at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for the effectiveness of referrals and interventions

8 weeks

Follow-up calls at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Implementation of social determinants of health screening and referral

Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of a screening tool that identifies social needs like food access and digital inclusion among cancer patients. It also evaluates procedures for patient referrals based on these identified needs and implements brief interventions accordingly.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Screening Needs Assessment Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

166

Recruited

9,300+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8494398/

Social Determinants of Health and Cancer Survivorship Socioeconomic factors such as unemployment, lack of education, poverty, and income inequality are among the most important social determinants of health.

2. facs.org facs.org/for-medical-professionals/news-publications/news-and-articles/bulletin/2024/julyaugust-2024-volume-109-issue-7/social-determinants-of-health-screening-influence-cancer-outcomes/

Social Determinants of Health Screening Influence Cancer ... Patients with socioeconomic disparity experience a 22% higher cancer mortality rate compared to those without socioeconomic disparity.

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462388924001121

Social determinants of health in post-treatment cancer ... To identify, analyze and describe the available scientific evidence about the influence of social determinants of health on cancer survivors.

4. ascopubs.org ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/OP.23.00810

Social Determinants of Health and Cancer Care In oncology, SDOH affect all aspects of the cancer care continuum, from screening through end of life and/or survivorship. For example, housing ...

5. acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.3322/caac.21801

Social determinants of health and US cancer screening ... SDOH interventions increased screening rates overall by a median of 8.4 percentage points (interquartile interval, 1.8–18.8 percentage points).

6. bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-024-03563-0

Association between social determinants of health and ... The SDoH was examined by race and estimated for associations with primary outcomes, which included all-cause and cancer-specific mortality.

7. healthcaredelivery.cancer.gov healthcaredelivery.cancer.gov/sdoh/

Social Determinants of Health HDRP promotes research that identifies and addresses the social determinants and multilevel factors that shape health outcomes across the cancer control ...