Initiation of Colon Cancer Screening in Veterans or "Start Screening Now" (SSN)

May 2, 2017 updated by: Sally Vernon, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Initiation of Colon Cancer Screening in Veterans

Initiation of colon cancer screening in veterans is a theory-based stepped intervention to increase first time colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) among male and female veterans age 50 and over.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths in the US and risk increases with age. Colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) offers the possibility of both early detection and prevention. For those at average risk, CRCS beginning at age 50 is recommended. However, awareness and use of CRCS tests are low. We propose to conduct a randomized controlled trial to develop and test stepped interventions to increase initial uptake of CRCS in a nationally-representative, ethnically-diverse sample of male and female veterans. Our specific aims are to: (1) develop and pre-test stepped intervention components that are theory and evidence-informed; (2) implement and evaluate the process, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of stepped interventions to increase an initial CRCS among male and female veterans aged 50-64 years; and (3) analyze the association between predictor variables and CRCS initiation and the mediating and moderating effects of the interventions, after each step. In Step 1, we will evaluate a theory-based minimal cue delivered by a letter, telephone call, or automated telephone call compared with a survey-only control group to determine whether the 3 different delivery channels are equally efficacious and cost-effective. Minimal cues are a cost-effective method that prompts to action those more willing to change and are easy to disseminate in real-world settings. Persons who do not complete CRCS in Step 1 will be randomized in Step 2 to more intensive interventions that address resistance. In Step 2 we will determine whether a theory-based, tailored telephone intervention, using principles of Motivation Interviewing, is effective when delivered as part of a sequential intervention process in which early adopters have been removed from the population. Step 2 also will determine whether an automated approach, telephone-linked communication (TLC), is as effective as a telephone counselor in promoting initiation of CRCS. Steps 1 and 2 together will address the important issue of the "dose" needed to encourage completion of CRCS. After each step, we will examine the mediating and moderating effects of the intervention to identify determinants of completion. For cancer screening intervention research to have the broadest public health impact, interventions must have the potential for dissemination. We designed our trial to move us toward the goal of disseminable interventions with evidence of external validity.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
1892

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Texas
      • Houston, Texas, United States, 77030
        • University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

50 years to 64 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Male or Female Veteran age 50 to 64

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Prior CRCS
  • History of colon or bowel cancer, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis
  • History of colon polyps
  • Currently active duty military
  • Outside of age range

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Screening
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Factorial Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: Control
A survey-only control arm will be compared to the experimental arm to determine whether the 3 different delivery channels are equally efficacious and cost-effective.
Behavioral: Control
A survey-only control arm will be compared to the experimental arm to determine whether the 3 different delivery channels are equally efficacious and cost-effective.
Experimental: Minimal Cue and TLC
Participants randomized to the experimental arm will receive a minimal cue after completing the baseline survey. A follow up survey will be sent 9 months after completion of the minimal cue to assess whether the participant received CRCS. If the participant has not had CRCS they will receive a more intensive telephone linked communication intervention. A second follow up will be sent 9 months after the TLC is delivered to assess final screening status.
Behavioral: Stepped CRCS Interventions
In Step 1, we will evaluate a theory-based minimal cue delivered by a letter, telephone call, or automated telephone call. Persons who do not complete CRCS in Step 1 will be randomized to Step 2 using principles of Motivation Interviewing. Step 2 also will determine whether an automated approach, telephone-linked communication (TLC), is as effective as a telephone counselor in promoting initiation of CRCS. Steps 1 and 2 together will address the important issue of the "dose" needed to encourage completion of CRCS.
Other Names:
  • Start Screening Now

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Time Frame: 9 month follow up
The primary outcome for the intervention trial is completion of an initial CRCS with 1 of the 5 currently recommended tests or test combinations. There will be one follow up measurement after each intervention step to assess whether uptake of CRCS was completed. The first measure is 9 months after the 1st intervention step. The second is 9 months after the 2nd intervention step.
9 month follow up

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Boston University
Duke University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
July 1, 2008

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
November 3, 2011

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
July 31, 2014

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
February 26, 2010

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 2, 2010

First Posted (Estimate)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
March 3, 2010

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
May 3, 2017

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 2, 2017

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
May 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • R01CA112223-01A2 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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