This trial tests how well navigator assisted radiation therapy works to improve completion of therapy for black patients with breast or prostate cancer. Breast and prostate cancer are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in African-Americans. Despite new treatment methods such as shortened radiation therapy times, African-Americans still have the highest overall cancer death rate and shortest survival time among any racial or ethnic group. The rate of radiation therapy completion may be linked to the rate of cancer survival. A patient navigator – someone who helps patients improve their personal knowledge about their cancer, treatment options, and support groups – helps improve the rates of completing radiation therapy for African-American patients with breast or prostate cancer.
Study sponsor and potential other locations can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov for NCT05978232.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:
I. Utilize established survey-based methods to assess radiation therapy (RT) completion rates and barriers facing under-represented minority cancer patient access to patient navigation.
SECONDARY OBJECITVES:
I. Use qualitative mechanisms to assess the impact of patient navigation on patient access to radiation oncology care and consequently utilization of standard of care modalities.
II. Investigate differences in financial toxicity (using the validated comprehensive score for financial toxicity [COST]-Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy score) experienced by underrepresented minorities receiving conventional versus short-course RT.
OUTLINE: Patients may choose to be assigned to 1 of 3 groups.
GROUP I: Patients meet with a patient navigator for 10-15 minutes to discuss treatment and available resources prior to starting standard of care radiation therapy. Patients complete surveys and have their medical records reviewed on study.
GROUP II: Patients complete surveys and have their medical records reviewed on study.
GROUP III: Patients have their medical records reviewed on study.
After completion of study interventions, patients are followed up at 6 weeks.
Trial PhaseNo phase specified
Trial Typesupportive care
Lead OrganizationCase Comprehensive Cancer Center
Principal InvestigatorShearwood McClelland
