A Randomized Trial of Cancer Risk and Health Education in Relatives of Colorectal Cancer Patients

August 14, 2015 updated by: University Health Network, Toronto
Having at least one first-degree relative (FDR) with colon cancer increases an individual's risk of developing the disease. Many relatives of cancer patients are ineligible for genetic testing and, therefore, do not receive information from a healthcare provider about the disease. Providing relatives of cancer patients with information about their risk of developing colon cancer, screening information, and other colon-related health information, may increase knowledge and screening compliance as has been shown in relatives of breast cancer patients. The primary aim of this study is to test the efficacy of two modes (in-person vs. telephone) of providing a risk counseling and health promotion intervention for relatives of cancer patients on measures of knowledge of colon cancer risk and health-related factors, comprehension of risk, understanding of screening recommendations and intent to adopt an appropriate screening regimen. Participants will be randomized into one of three study arms (in-person, telephone, control). An assessment pre- and post- intervention will be conducted. In addition, longer-term follow-ups will be carried out two months and one year following the intervention to examine the sustainability of the intervention effect.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in North America, despite being referred to as preventable and curable if detected early. Early detection through preventive screening has been found to decrease CRC death. However, adherence to CRC screening is poor, both in average risk and higher risk individuals. Lack of knowledge of CRC risk and screening recommendations, and psychological factors, such as perceived risk of CRC have been cited as important factors associated with screening compliance. By increasing knowledge and appropriate risk comprehension, it is possible to increase lifelong, long-term screening adherence, rather than one-time compliance. This is especially important because CRC screening can be unpleasant and if individuals are not clear of their risk and other important information about CRC, they may be reluctant to continue with a screening program. Having at least one first-degree relative (FDR) with CRC increases an individual's risk of developing the disease. Many relatives of CRC probands are ineligible for genetic testing and, therefore, do not receive information from a healthcare provider about the disease. Providing relatives of CRC probands with information about their risk of developing CRC, screening information, and other CRC-related health information, may increase knowledge and screening compliance as has been shown in relatives of breast cancer patients. Previous educational interventions with relatives of breast cancer probands have demonstrated increased knowledge, screening behaviour, risk comprehension, and decreased distress. While these interventions have been effective with relatives of breast cancer patients, these interventions have not been conducted to date with relatives of CRC patients. We believe that relatives of CRC patients could also benefit from this type of educational session. Educational interventions with relatives of breasts cancer patients have been conducted in-person, however in clinical genetic counseling, sessions are conducted both in-person and by telephone. Telephone counseling has become widespread in clinical services despite a lack of evidence to support its effectiveness compared to in-person counseling. Preliminary studies have shown that telephone interventions increase participation in screening programs, but few studies have directly compared telephone and in-person counseling. The primary aim of this study is to test the efficacy of two modes (in-person vs. telephone) of providing a risk counseling and health promotion intervention for relatives of CRC probands on measures of knowledge of CRC risk and health-related factors, comprehension of risk, understanding of screening recommendations and intent to adopt an appropriate screening regimen. Participants will be randomized into one of three study arms (in-person, telephone, control). An assessment pre- and post- intervention will be conducted. In addition, longer-term follow-ups will be carried out two months and one year following the intervention to examine the sustainability of the intervention effect.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

252

Phase

  • Phase 3

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

  • Canada
    • Newfoundland and Labrador
      • St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, A1B 3V6
        • Health Sciences Centre, Memorial University
    • Ontario
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 2C4
        • University Health Network

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

Ages Eligible for Study

25 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • at least one First Degree Relative (FDR) with Colorectal Cancer
  • be between the ages of 25 and 65 years
  • live within one hour of Toronto

Exclusion Criteria:

  • previous diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer or other malignancy
  • family history suggestive of hereditary Colorectal Cancer
  • history of major psychiatric disorder (i.e. schizophrenia, active psychosis, major depression)
  • failure to provide consent.

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

  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: 1 In person
In person general health, colorectal cancer risk information and screening recommendations.
Behavioral: General health counselling and risk information
General health counselling and risk information
Active Comparator: 2 Telephone
Telephone general health counselling, colorectal cancer risk information and screening recommendations.
Behavioral: General health counselling and risk information
General health counselling and risk information
Placebo Comparator: 3 Control
Standard care for 2 months followed by summary letter with general health information, colorectal cancer risk information and screening recommendations.
Behavioral: General health counselling and risk information
General health counselling and risk information

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Colorectal cancer risk comprehension and screening knowledge
Time Frame: 1 year
1 year
Intent to screen the colon
Time Frame: 1 year
1 year
Colon screening behaviour
Time Frame: 2 years
2 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Personality
Time Frame: Baseline
Baseline
Psychosocial functioning
Time Frame: 1 year
1 year
Satisfaction
Time Frame: 2 months
2 months

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

University Health Network, Toronto

Collaborators

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Mary Jane Esplen, PhD, University Health Network, Toronto

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

January 1, 2005

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 1, 2009

Study Completion (Actual)

August 1, 2009

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 9, 2005

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 9, 2005

First Posted (Estimate)

September 16, 2005

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

August 17, 2015

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 14, 2015

Last Verified

August 1, 2015

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • UHN04-0729-CE

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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