Digital Peer Navigation for Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer: A Feasibility Study

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Behavioral
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) diagnosed with cancer experience unique challenges after completing treatment and face distinct barriers to optimal care and support. These challenges include higher levels of symptom burden and treatment complications, interrupted education, careers and relationships, and financial hardship. AYA lack access to peers, relevant information and emotional support, and report gaps in care when dealing with these difficult challenges. Digital peer navigation could help to address the needs of AYA and overcome barriers to care and support. The PI developed True North Peer Navigation (TrueNTH-PN), an evidence-based digital peer navigation program for men with prostate cancer and online peer navigator training course. The goal of this project is to adapt TrueNTH-PN for AYA and evaluate its feasibility to overcome barriers to care and support, and enhance patient activation among AYA during the challenging post-treatment phase. In partnership with AYA cancer survivors, the Canadian Cancer Society, Young Adult Cancer Canada, a digital app design firm and technology provider, our cross-Canada team will: (1) Adapt and evaluate the usability of the TrueNTH-PN app for AYA; (2) Adapt and evaluate the effectiveness of the Peer Navigator Training Course for AYA; and (3) Determine the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of the new AYA-PN program among post-treatment AYA cancer survivors. This project will produce an innovative solution to an important service gap in the lives of AYA with cancer. It has the potential to address the support needs of AYA, overcome barriers to care, and empower AYA to take proactive role in managing their health. In addition, it will give rise to AYA peer navigators with specialized skills, which could fill gaps in disrupted education and career paths, and help to attain future goals.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Maximum Age: 40
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• Are 18-40 years old;

• Were diagnosed with breast or testicular cancer, lymphoma or sarcoma between the ages of 15-39 years old;

• Have completed therapy within the last 12 months;

• Are comfortable using the internet;

• Have an active email address OR are willing to create one;

• Able to read and speak English.

Locations
Other Locations
Canada
University Health Network
RECRUITING
Toronto
Contact Information
Primary
Jackie Bender, PhD
Jackie.Bender@uhn.ca
416-581-8606
Backup
Logan Meyers, MSc
logan.meyers@uhn.ca
416-581-7652
Time Frame
Start Date: 2024-08-27
Estimated Completion Date: 2025-12
Participants
Target number of participants: 138
Treatments
Experimental: Intervention
Participants assigned to the intervention arm will the receive digital peer navigation intervention.
No_intervention: Waitlist Control
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.
Sponsors
Collaborators: Young Adult Cancer Canada, Canadian Cancer Society (CCS)
Leads: University Health Network, Toronto

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov