Helping adolescent and young adult cancer survivors manage symptoms and stay engaged in post-treatment care
Official title: Symptom Management and Transitioning to Engagement With Post-treatment Care for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors
Run by Duke University · NCT06371768 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial will test whether AYA STEPS, a six-session digital program, can help adolescent and young adult cancer survivors reduce symptoms and keep up with recommended follow-up care.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 39 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 260 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Duke University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Durham, North Carolina) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 14, 2025 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2029 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | January 28, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06371768 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are English-speaking adolescent and young adult survivors who are 1–5 years post-diagnosis, treated with curative intent for specified early-stage cancers (stage I–III breast, colorectal, sarcoma, Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or stage I–II testicular) and have been off therapy for at least three months.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with moderate or severe cognitive impairment, severe untreated mental illness, or those still receiving active non-hormonal cancer therapy are unlikely to benefit or may be ineligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
AYA STEPS is a remotely delivered, six-session digital program that teaches cognitive-behavioral skills and patient activation strategies to help survivors manage high symptom burden and engage in follow-up healthcare. In a randomized controlled trial, 260 adolescent and young adult survivors treated across diverse North Carolina settings will be assigned to AYA STEPS or to receive AYA educational information. The trial will measure changes in symptom burden and health care engagement and will examine self-efficacy and patient activation as mediators of any effects. Sessions are designed for remote access to reach survivors in rural, urban, and medically underserved areas.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lower symptom burden and improve survivors' follow-up care and long-term health.
How similar studies have gone: Digital cognitive-behavioral and patient-activation programs have shown promise in adult cancer populations, but randomized evidence specifically for adolescent and young adult survivors is limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with one of the following cancers: 1) stage I-III breast cancer; 2) stage I-III colorectal cancer; 3) stage I-III sarcoma; 4) stage I-III Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma; or 5) stage I-II testicular cancer * treated with curative intent and off therapy (with the exception of endocrine/hormonal therapy or oral targeted therapies used to prevent disease recurrence or progression) for the last three months * 1 to 5 years post-diagnosis * Able to speak and read English * Able to give informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * moderate or severe cognitive impairment * severe untreated mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, substance use disorder) that would interfere with providing meaningful consent/study participation
Where it's running
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Duke Cancer Institute
Durham, North Carolina, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Caroline S Dorfman, PhD
- Email: caroline.dorfman@duke.edu
- Phone: 919-416-3473
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.