Digital Peer Navigation for Cancer

Overseen By Logan Meyers, MSc

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University Health Network, Toronto

Disqualifiers: Metastatic disease, Palliative care, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

138 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if a digital peer support program can assist young adults who have completed cancer treatment. It will evaluate an app designed to connect cancer survivors with peers for support and guidance. Participants should be comfortable using the internet and have finished treatment for breast or testicular cancer, lymphoma, or sarcoma within the past year. The goal is to provide emotional support and address challenges like education or career disruptions. Those who meet these criteria can consider joining to receive peer support and help manage their health. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative support solutions and enhance their post-treatment quality of life.

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 focuses on digital peer support for cancer survivors, so it's best to check with the trial coordinators for specific guidance.

What prior data suggests that this digital peer navigation program is safe for adolescents and young adults with cancer?

Research shows that digital peer navigation tools, like the one tested in this trial, are generally safe. Previous studies found that these tools can support cancer patients by providing information without causing harm. No reports of serious problems have emerged from using digital peer navigation systems in similar contexts.

This trial focuses on a digital tool, so it does not involve medications or medical procedures, reducing the risk of physical side effects. The digital peer navigation program aims to help young cancer survivors manage their health and connect with others who have had similar experiences. It seeks to enhance their journey after treatment without introducing significant risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Digital Peer Navigation for cancer because it offers a fresh approach to patient support by connecting individuals with cancer to digital tools and peer mentors. Unlike traditional treatments that focus solely on medical interventions, this method emphasizes emotional and social support, which can improve overall well-being and potentially enhance treatment outcomes. The digital format makes it accessible and scalable, allowing patients to receive support from anywhere, which is especially beneficial for those with limited access to in-person resources.

What evidence suggests that digital peer navigation is effective for addressing the needs of adolescents and young adults with cancer?

Research has shown that digital tools can greatly enhance the care experience for cancer patients. One study found that clinics using these digital platforms respond faster to patient issues and improve incident resolution by over 30%. Another study highlighted that digital tools can help ensure fair outcomes for cancer patients by guiding them through their care journey. This method is especially helpful for adolescents and young adults (AYA), who face unique challenges after cancer treatment. In this trial, participants in the intervention arm will receive the digital peer navigation system, which has shown promise in overcoming care barriers and boosting patient involvement. ^{1 2 4 5 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jackie Bender, PhD

Principal Investigator

UHN

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young adults aged 18-40 who were diagnosed with breast or testicular cancer, lymphoma, or sarcoma at ages 15-39. Participants should have finished initial cancer treatment within the last 6 months, be comfortable using the internet and email, and able to read and speak English.

Inclusion Criteria

I was diagnosed with breast, testicular cancer, lymphoma, or sarcoma between 15-39 years old.

You feel at ease using the internet.

I have an active email address or am willing to create one.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Adaptation and Evaluation

Adapt and evaluate the usability of the TrueNTH-PN app and peer navigator training course for AYA

8-12 weeks

Multiple virtual sessions for app testing and training

Pilot RCT

Conduct a pilot RCT of the AYA-PN program compared to waitlist control to determine feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness

3 months

Baseline and 3-month follow-up assessments

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for outcomes such as patient activation, supportive care needs, and quality of life

3 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Digital Peer Navigation

Trial Overview The study tests a digital peer navigation program adapted from TrueNTH-PN for adolescents and young adults (AYA) post-cancer treatment. It aims to evaluate its usability, effectiveness in training peer navigators, feasibility, acceptability among AYA survivors.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants assigned to the intervention arm will the receive digital peer navigation intervention.

Group II: Waitlist Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants assigned to the control arm will receive usual care. After completion of the study, they will have the option to receive the digital peer navigation intervention.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University Health Network, Toronto

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,555

Recruited

526,000+

Canadian Cancer Society (CCS)

Collaborator

Trials

84

Recruited

42,100+

Young Adult Cancer Canada

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

100+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Nurse navigation in cancer care has been associated with significant improvements in clinical outcomes, including reduced distress, anxiety, and depression among patients.

Patients receiving nurse navigation experienced better symptom management, improved physical conditioning, enhanced quality of life, and quicker initiation of treatment, highlighting the effectiveness of this approach in cancer care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical outcomes of patient navigation performed by nurses in the oncology setting: an integrative review. Rodrigues, RL., Schneider, F., Kalinke, LP., et al.[2022]

In a study of 438 cancer patients, patient navigation (PN) did not significantly improve overall treatment completion time, satisfaction with care, or psychological distress compared to usual care.

However, socially disadvantaged patients who received PN reported higher satisfaction with their care, indicating that PN may be beneficial for specific groups, despite no overall benefits observed in the primary analysis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient navigation for breast and colorectal cancer treatment: a randomized trial. Fiscella, K., Whitley, E., Hendren, S., et al.[2021]

A standardized national training program for patient navigators (PNs) was successfully implemented, attended by 116 PNs from 85 cities, aimed at reducing cancer health disparities for medically underserved populations.

The training showed significant efficacy, with overall improvements in posttest scores compared to pretest scores, particularly among participants with higher education levels or more work experience.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A national patient navigator training program. Calhoun, EA., Whitley, EM., Esparza, A., et al.[2021]

The National Patient Navigation Leadership Summit, held by the American Cancer Society in March 2010, aimed to create a consensus on key outcomes to measure the effectiveness of patient navigation in cancer care.

The Summit brought together a diverse group of experts to propose core metrics that can evaluate the impact of patient navigation on both individual patients and broader populations, providing a framework for future navigation programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Measuring the impact and potential of patient navigation: proposed common metrics and beyond. Esparza, A., Calhoun, E.[2021]

The True North Peer Navigation program for men with prostate cancer and their caregivers demonstrated high feasibility and acceptability, with a recruitment rate of 57.9% and a post-questionnaire completion rate of 66.7%.

Participants showed significant improvements in activation, quality of life, and support needs after 3 months, indicating the program's potential effectiveness, which warrants further investigation in a randomized controlled trial.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Web-Based Peer Navigation for Men with Prostate Cancer and Their Family Caregivers: A Pilot Feasibility Study. Bender, JL., Flora, PK., Soheilipour, S., et al.[2023]

The TrueNTH Peer Navigation Training Program (PNTP) was found to be highly acceptable and effective for training prostate cancer survivors as peer navigators, with a satisfaction score of 9.4 out of 10 and a high usability rating of 84.5 out of 100.

Participants showed significant improvements in understanding learning objectives, self-efficacy, and eHealth literacy, indicating that the program effectively enhanced their knowledge and confidence in supporting others with cancer.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Training prostate cancer survivors and caregivers to be peer navigators: a blended online/in-person competency-based training program. Bender, JL., Flora, PK., Milosevic, E., et al.[2021]

The original patient navigation programs effectively combined community involvement and culturally sensitive care coordination to address disparities in cancer care, particularly for racial and ethnic minorities.

These programs functioned as a system rather than relying on individual navigators, with a structured team of navigators and directors working together to remove barriers and facilitate patient access to care, highlighting the importance of administrative support and community engagement.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Characteristics of the original patient navigation programs to reduce disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Vargas, RB., Ryan, GW., Jackson, CA., et al.[2011]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11139693/

Interactive digital tools to support empowerment of people with ... To identify and synthesise interactive digital tools used to support the empowerment of people with cancer and the outcomes of these tools.

2. prescancerpanel.cancer.gov prescancerpanel.cancer.gov/reports-meetings/enhancing-patient-navigation-2024/action-to-improve-equity/technology-support-equitable-outcomes

Priority 1: Use Technology to Support Navigation Activities to ... Digital Toolkit. Priority 1: Use Technology to Support Navigation Activities to Achieve Equitable Outcomes for People with Cancer. Patients ...

3. jmir.org jmir.org/2025/1/e66275

The Effect of Nurse Navigators in Digital Remote ... This report focuses on patients in the CAPRI arm, evaluating the impact of NN interventions on outcomes such as toxicity, hospitalization, and emergency visits.

4. acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.3322/caac.21788

Patient navigation across the cancer care continuum: An ... Peer support needs and preferences for digital peer navigation among adolescent and young adults with cancer: a Canadian cross-sectional survey.

5. navigatingcare.com navigatingcare.com/outcomes-insights/

Outcomes & Insights Clinics using our platform respond more quickly to patient issues and regularly see a 30%+ improvement in incident resolution times.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7045289/

The Use of Mobile Technology and Peer Navigation to ... The Use of Mobile Technology and Peer Navigation to Promote Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Survivorship Care: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.