LEGAL-CARE: legal navigation to improve access to cancer care
Official title: Legal Evaluation for Greater Access to Cancer Care (LEGAL-CARE): A Pilot Feasibility Trial of a Legal Navigation Program to Address Cancer-related Legal Barriers
Run by University of Alabama at Birmingham · NCT07197515 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This pilot tests a legal navigation program to help adults newly diagnosed with advanced (stage III/IV) cancer overcome legal, insurance, and financial barriers during their treatment.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Alabama at Birmingham Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Birmingham, Alabama) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | July 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | January 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | February 6, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07197515 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18 or older with a new de novo diagnosis of advanced (stage III or IV) cancer requiring systemic therapy who can communicate and consent in English and receive care at the UAB oncology clinic.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with non-melanoma skin cancer, benign or in-situ tumors, recurrent cancer, a hospice encounter in the past year, those unable to complete surveys, or non-English speakers are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
LEGAL-CARE is a pilot feasibility trial at the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center offering a legal navigator to a small cohort of adult patients with a new de novo diagnosis of stage III or IV cancer who require systemic therapy. Participants will be offered at least one cycle of proactive legal intervention over a six-month period, in which a legal navigator reaches out to identify and address legal hardships related to disability, employment, insurance denials, and financial assistance. The study will collect feasibility metrics and use semi-structured interviews to characterize patient perceptions and experiences. The trial is clinic-based and designed to inform larger implementation studies and program expansion if feasible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce legal and administrative barriers to timely treatment, speed access to benefits and supports, and lessen financial and psychosocial strain for patients.
How similar studies have gone: The investigators' prior nationwide work documented widespread legal barriers for patients with cancer and social-legal partnership models have shown promise elsewhere, but this specific oncology legal-navigation pilot is a novel application.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Inclusion criteria includes adults ≥18 years old * New de novo advanced stage cancer (stages III/IV) requiring systemic therapy.. Exclusion Criteria: * non-melanoma skin cancer * benign cancer or in-situ tumor * a recurrence of a previously diagnosed cancer * a hospice encounter in the past year * those unable to complete surveys * unable to communicate fluently in English * unable to provide consent in English
Where it's running
-
The Kirklin Clinic
Birmingham, Alabama, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Qasim M Hussaini, MD, MS — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Stacey A Ingram, MEd, CHES
- Email: saadewakun@uabmc.edu
- Phone: 205-934-5287
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Gyrotonic exercise for elders with breast cancer and Behcet disease
We’re testing whether a gyrotonic exercise program helps older people who have both Behcet disease and breast cancer.
-
PECS II vs SPSIP nerve blocks for pain after mastectomy
This study tests whether two ultrasound-guided nerve blocks (PECS II and SPSIP) differ in how much opioid patients need after mastectomy.
-
CG-7321: a first-in-human test in advanced solid tumors
We’re testing CG-7321 alone and with fulvestrant to see if it’s safe and tolerable in adults with advanced solid tumors.
-
Compare a new endoscopy-assisted breast-conserving surgery with the usual approach
This study tests whether a new endoscopy-assisted breast-conserving technique can provide similar or better cosmetic outcomes and safety compared with conventional breast-conserving surgery in women with early breast cancer who want to preserve their breast.
-
Different skin care approaches to prevent skin reactions after mastectomy radiation
This study tests three standard skin care methods to see which best prevents radiation dermatitis in people who had a mastectomy and are receiving post-mastectomy radiation therapy.
-
3D Heart Strain to Detect Early Cardiotoxicity in Cancer Therapy
This study tests whether 3D echocardiography can detect early heart damage from cancer treatments like anthracyclines or HER2-targeted therapy better than standard 2D methods.
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.