Helping rural cancer patients manage financial burdens
Addressing Cancer-Related Financial Toxicity in Rural North Carolina Oncology Care Settings
This study is testing a program that helps cancer patients in rural areas manage their financial struggles by connecting them with resources and support.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 255 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 9 sites (Chapel Hill, North Carolina and 8 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT04931251 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study evaluates a financial navigation program aimed at reducing the financial toxicity experienced by cancer patients in rural and non-rural oncology settings in North Carolina. It involves screening patients for financial toxicity using the COST measure and enrolling those with moderate to severe financial toxicity into a comprehensive support program. Patients will receive assistance from financial navigators to explore available financial resources and benefits over a series of visits. The study will assess the impact of this intervention on patients' financial burdens and health-related quality of life.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with any type of cancer diagnosed within the last 5 years who experience high financial toxicity.
Not a fit: Patients without a cancer diagnosis or those diagnosed more than 5 years ago without advanced disease will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly alleviate the financial stress associated with cancer treatment for rural patients.
How similar studies have performed: While financial navigation is a growing area of interest, this specific approach targeting rural oncology settings is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients 18 years of age and older * Patients with any type of cancer diagnosed within 5 years and/or living with advanced disease * Patients who score 22 or lower on the COST measure indicating high FT * Patients must be able to read and speak English Exclusion Criteria: * Participants without a cancer diagnosis * Patients diagnosed more than 5 years ago without advanced disease * Patients or caregivers under the age of 18 * Patients who do not sign the consent form * Patients who do not complete the baseline COST survey * Patients who cannot read and speak English
Where this trial is running
Chapel Hill, North Carolina and 8 other locations
- NC Basnight Cancer Hospital — Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States (Completed)
- Novant Health — Charlotte, North Carolina, United States (Completed)
- Vidant Medical Center, Cancer Center — Greenville, North Carolina, United States (Completed)
- Pardee UNC Health Care, Pardee Cancer Center — Hendersonville, North Carolina, United States (Recruiting)
- UNC Lenoir Cancer Care Services — Kinston, North Carolina, United States (Completed)
- Carteret Health Care Cancer Center — Morehead City, North Carolina, United States (Recruiting)
- The Outer Banks Hospital — Nags Head, North Carolina, United States (Completed)
- Nash UNC Health Care — Rocky Mount, North Carolina, United States (Withdrawn)
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences — Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States (Completed)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Stephanie Wheeler, PhD — Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Michelle L Manning, MPH
- Email: mlmannin@email.unc.edu
- Phone: 919-632-5029
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.