Middle school science lessons about cancer risk and prevention
Using Middle School Science Teachers to Address Health Disparities
This program tests a five-week science curriculum that teaches New York City middle school students (ages 10-13) about cancer risks and healthy choices to see if it increases their intentions to adopt healthier behaviors.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 1812 (estimated) |
| Ages | 10 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Weill Medical College of Cornell University Academic / other |
| Locations | 5 sites (Brooklyn, New York and 4 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07501689 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The CARES4You intervention delivers a teacher-led, standards-aligned science curriculum across 10 NYC public middle schools, with some schools starting immediately and others serving as a delayed-start comparison group. The curriculum consists of six units (about 14 lessons) delivered during a roughly five-week module and covers cancer biology, lifestyle and environmental risk factors, and strategies for healthy decision-making. Regular science teachers deliver weekly lessons and labs after training, and students complete surveys before and after the curriculum to measure changes in knowledge, intentions, and family communication; caregivers in intervention schools also complete a post-implementation survey. Researchers will compare outcomes at the school level to see whether the curriculum changes students' intentions to engage in cancer-preventive behaviors and increases communication with caregivers.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are NYC public middle school students aged 10-13 who attend one of the participating schools and live in one of the study's four target PPA's, and their caregivers (age 18+) who can provide consent.
Not a fit: Students who live outside the target PPA's, attend nonparticipating schools, are older than 13, or are already fully engaged in healthy behaviors may be unlikely to benefit from the program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the curriculum could increase students' intentions to adopt healthier behaviors and prompt more family conversations about cancer risk, potentially reducing future cancer risk.
How similar studies have performed: Similar school-based cancer-prevention and health-education programs have shown modest improvements in knowledge and intentions, though evidence for durable behavior change is mixed.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adolescents: * Age 10-13 * Attends a NYC Public Middle School * Resides in one of the study's four target PPA's * Parents/Caregivers: * 18 years of age or older * Has at least one child registered for middle school in NYC that resides with them * Resides in one of the study's four target PPA's * Able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Adolescents: Students who do not attend one of the participating NYC Public Middle Schools * Parents/Caregivers: Caregivers who do not have a child that attends one of the participating NYC Public Middle Schools
Where this trial is running
Brooklyn, New York and 4 other locations
- Dock Street School for STEAM Studies District: 13 School #: K313 — Brooklyn, New York, United States (Active_not_recruiting)
- P.S/I.S. 173 District: 6 School #: 173 — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)
- I.S. 145 Joseph Pulitzer District 30 School #: Q145 — Queens, New York, United States (Active_not_recruiting)
- Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School District 28 School #: Q167 — Queens, New York, United States (Active_not_recruiting)
- Jonas Bronck Academy District: 7 School #: X043 — The Bronx, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Erica G Phillips, MD, MS — Weill Cornell
- Study coordinator: Rosio Ramos, BA
- Email: ror2023@med.cornell.edu
- Phone: 646 962 5037
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.