Interview

This phase II trial gathers information on the feasibility, safety, and effect of giving methotrexate, erlotinib, and celecoxib in treating head and neck cancer that has come back after a period of improvement (recurrent) or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic) among rural Midwest patients. Methotrexate is in a class of medications called antimetabolites. It is also a type of antifolate. Methotrexate stops cells from using folic acid to make deoxyribonucleic acid and may kill tumor cells. Erlotinib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of a protein called EGFR that signals tumor cells to multiply. This helps slow or stop the spread of tumor cells. Celecoxib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Giving the combination of methotrexate, erlotinib, and celecoxib may be feasible, safe, and effective in treating rural Midwest patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer.

This clinical trial compares the impact of a tailored survivorship care plan (SCP) to a standard SCP on the understanding of and access to survivorship care in black or African American patients with prostate cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body (localized) or that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to a limited number of places in the body (oligometastatic). SCPs summarize treatment history and recommendations for monitoring and maintaining health, and may also include potential long term effects of treatments received. The intention of a SCP is to help patients participate in their own health care. However, many patients have below basic levels of health literacy, meaning, they have a lower ability to obtain, communicate, process and understand basic health information and services to make health decisions. In fact, poor health literacy has been linked with worse quality of life in prostate cancer survivors. A tailored SCP includes the addition of an educational supplement based on lower reading and writing skills (low literacy) and may address health literacy barriers to understanding of treatment options and side effects. A standard SCP uses a template based on the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines for prostate cancer. A tailored SCP with low literacy educational supplements may be more effective compared to a standard SCP in improving understanding and access to survivorship care in black or African American patients with localized or oligometastatic prostate cancer.

This clinical trial identifies factors associated with completing genetic testing, aids in the development of a decision support tool, and tests how well the decision support tool works to enhance germline genetic testing in patients with prostate cancer. Germline genetic testing is a guideline-recommended standard of care for many patients with prostate cancer. Completing genetic testing can enable the use of targeted therapies, offers access to novel clinical trials, provides valuable information, and can help identify at risk family members. The decision support tool may educate patients and assist in the decision to engage with germline genetic testing.

This clinical trial studies how well a home-based exercise intervention called Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Bone Marrow Transplant Program (CAREFit-BMT) works in improving heart function among patients with high risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) undergoing stem cell transplant. Older adults and those with other medical conditions are at a higher risk for complications in the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular). Older age at transplantation has been associated with nearly all cardiovascular complications occurring after stem cell transplant. This is likely explained by the structural and functional changes that occur in aging hearts as well as the larger burden of cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. CAREFit-BMT is a "prehabilitation" program, or exercise initiated prior to intensive therapy, that consists of aerobic exercises and strength training. CAREFit-BMT may be able to increase the likelihood of safe and successful transition to stem cell transplant in patients with high risk AML.

This clinical trial studies how well and how easy it is to use a device called Flyte in improving problems with bladder control (urinary incontinence) among endometrial and cervical cancer survivors who have undergone radiation therapy. Urinary incontinence is common after pelvic radiation therapy and can affect daily life and well-being. Access to in-person pelvic floor physical therapy can be limited. The Flyte device is designed for in-home use to deliver a series of mechanical vibrations at a specific frequency while the pelvic floor muscles are contracting and relaxing (i.e., normal, guided Kegel exercises). This treatment is called mechanotherapy. The Flyte device may improve urinary incontinence symptoms, as well as overall quality of life among endometrial and cervical cancer survivors who have undergone radiation therapy.

This clinical trial evaluates a clinic-wide intervention called Primary Care-Gastrointestinal (GI) Connect for improving follow-up colonoscopy rates in patients at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) who have an abnormal fecal immunochemical test (FIT) result. Colorectal cancer screening reduces colorectal cancer incidence and mortality but is underutilized.The most accessible, feasible, and common colorectal cancer screening modality for average-risk individuals in low resource settings such as FQHCs is the stool-based FIT. However, the benefit of FIT screening on colorectal cancer risk is realized only if individuals with abnormal FIT results undergo timely follow-up colonoscopy. Follow-up colonoscopy rates are low and there are many barriers to follow-up colonoscopy in safety net settings such as FQHCs. Effective interventions that are multi-component and improve care coordination are needed to improve abnormal FIT follow-up rates in FQHCs. The Primary Care-GI Connect intervention includes components that enhance care coordination, standardize the referral process, and engage both primary care and specialist physicians. This clinic-wide intervention may improve rates of follow-up colonoscopy after abnormal FIT results in patients seen at FQHCs.

This clinical trial compares the effect of geriatric assessment (GA)-based management of supportive care to usual care in treating older patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy for head and neck cancer and their family caregivers (FCG). At least one quarter of head and neck cancers patients are diagnosed at age 70 or older. Treatment for head and neck cancers usually include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Older adults are often at higher risk for functional problems, and may experience more side effects. In addition, there may be a lack of support mechanisms in place to address the needs of these older patients. Cancer not only affects the patients but the entire family, especially the family member who is the caregiver. Currently, all patients over 65 receive the same standard of care based on national guidelines, which include supportive care referrals. However, data suggests, that many patients may need more frequent and structured support. The Practical Geriatric Assessment (PGA) is a complete examination including evaluation of the physical and mental function as well as the emotional state of the older patient. PGA-based supportive care interventions may be safe, tolerable, and/or effective in managing treatment-related side effects and improving quality of life compared to usual care in older patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy for head and neck cancer and their FCG.

Prehabilitation refers to the process of improving a patient's functional capabilities prior to a surgical procedure with the goal of decreasing post-surgical inactivity and physical decline. This clinical trial evaluates the utility of a personalized home-based prehabilitation exercise intervention for the improvement of physical function and surgical outcomes in patients with urothelial carcinoma undergoing definitive or consolidative surgery of the bladder (radical cystectomy) or upper tract (nephroureterectomy, ureterectomy) with or without preceding neoadjuvant/systemic therapy. The exercise intervention includes at-home exercise sessions focused on the improvement of core strength and balance as well as personalized step count goals, delivered to patients remotely via a smart-device-based application (ExerciseRx). Encouraging physical activity before surgery may improve physical function and surgical outcomes in patients who are scheduled to undergo surgery for their bladder or urothelial cancer.

This clinical trial identifies and addresses barriers to pediatric medication adherence among families of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Pediatric nonadherence (noncompliance) to medication is a significant public health problem, and rigorous research repeatedly documents that nonadherence increases risk for hospitalization, healthcare cost, disease progression, and death. Pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients who miss 5% of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) doses within the 2-year 6-MP regimen have a 2.7-fold risk of cancer that comes back after a period of improvement (relapse). To address these families' needs, researchers have developed MedSupport, a theory-based multilevel intervention with targets at the organizational, healthcare team, and caregiver levels that is designed to address root barriers to medication adherence. This study is being done to better understand families' experiences giving their child oral chemotherapy at home and to help families cope with the day-to-day challenges of giving their child medication.

This clinical trial studies whether an intervention supported by technology (blended e-health intervention) works to improve fear of progression (FOP) in women with gynecologic or breast cancer. FOP is the fear patients experience from the possibility that their cancer could grow, spread, or get worse. Managing FOP is a leading unmet concern of cancer patients. High levels of FOP are associated with distress, depression, and increased health care costs, despite this, access to resources to address FOP remain limited. The blended e-health intervention in this trial offers remote group sessions along with online sessions to help patients access the information. Session content incorporates values-based goal setting and skills practices to manage unhelpful beliefs about worry and promote helpful coping behaviors. The sessions may help patients recognize unhelpful thoughts and behaviors which reinforce worry. A blended e-health intervention may be an effective way to improve FOP in women with gynecologic or breast cancer.

This clinical trial tests the impact of offering hearing tests (audiometry) close to home and remotely on participation in monitoring for treatment-related hearing loss in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer receiving cisplatin and/or radiation. Cisplatin, a chemotherapy often used to treat head and neck cancers, and radiation given near the ear can cause hearing loss in some patients. Hearing loss can have a major negative impact on quality of life, contributing to social isolation and frustration. Identifying hearing changes may allow treatment changes to prevent further loss. Audiometry measures hearing loss using a graphic record of the softest sounds that a person can hear at various frequencies. It is recommended patients have a hearing test before, during and after treatment to monitor for any hearing loss. This is usually done in the office and performed on the same day as other visits whenever possible, however, patients who live far away or have stage IV cancer, may have more difficulty coming back for hearing tests. Offering close to home and remote audiometry may improve monitoring for hearing loss in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer receiving cisplatin and/or radiation.

This clinical trial evaluates the impact of a patient-centered health and wellness coaching (HWC) intervention on adherence to treatment plans and healthy lifestyle practices in patients with papillary or follicular thyroid cancer. Treatment for thyroid cancer often involves surgery, radioactive iodine and/or lifelong levothyroxine with regular monitoring of thyroid stimulating hormone levels. Despite strong survival rates, patients frequently report fatigue, cognitive issues, mood changes, and disruptions in daily life. Treatment burden and psychosocial strain often impair the ability to follow the treatment plan and healthy lifestyle. Studies have shown that HWC motivates patients to take ownership and accountability to perform positive and healthy behavioral changes. HWC may have a positive impact on health-related goal-setting processes and improve self-care and healthcare outcomes in certain settings. It is not yet known how HWC impacts thyroid cancer patients. Incorporating HWC into survivorship care may improve adherence to treatment plans and healthy lifestyle practices in patients with papillary or follicular thyroid cancer.

This clinical trial compares how well a home-based personalized physical activity program (PAP) that is delivered by a digital application (app) (the ExerciseRx app) works compared to health education in improving physical activity for patients with bladder cancer that has not reached the muscle wall of the bladder (non-muscle invasive). For people who are not physically active, previous studies have shown that increasing step counts can reduce incidence of death, reduce frailty, and reduce healthcare costs. The ExerciseRx app tracks adherence to home exercise, adapts step count goals based on the patient's progress, and provides encouraging feedback and motivation from the healthcare team. Additional features include activity summaries, progress towards current goal, nudges, helpful facts about the benefits of activity, and ideas for how to incorporate daily movement. A home-based PAP using the ExerciseRx app may work better in increasing physical activity among patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer compared to a health education only group.

This phase III trial compares the use of a digital chatbot enabled intervention to standard remote genetic services for increasing uptake of genetic counseling and testing among adolescents and young adult (AYA) cancer patients. Genetic testing for cancer predisposition syndromes has become standard evidence-based practice and can inform enhanced screening and risk reducing measures to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality. Despite this, many AYAs are not receiving recommended genetic counseling and testing. Offering remote telehealth services can address access barriers and chatbots and texting interventions could enhance patient outcomes and reduce provider and staff time. The use of a digital chatbot enabled intervention may be equally as effective as standard remote genetic services in AYA cancer patients undergoing genetic testing.

This clinical trial studies whether an exercise program can be successfully delivered to patients receiving treatment for cancer through virtual sessions and allow patients to exercise in their own home. Treatments for cancer can cause side effects such as fatigue and loss of strength. These side effects can make it difficult to work, take care of family, and do other things the patient wants to do. Preliminary research shows that exercise can help prevent some of these side effects, but it can be more difficult to start an exercise program when a patient is receiving cancer treatment. The exercise program in this study is delivered through telehealth (TH) video calls. The TH sessions are delivered by trained staff that supervise resistance exercises. The trained staff also provide guidance to the patient on completing unsupervised aerobic sessions on their own. This may be a successful way to deliver an exercise program and make it easier for cancer patients to exercise in their own home during treatment.

This study compares the experiences of people who receive information about genetic testing from a computer-generated character to patients who receive information from a human genetics healthcare provider. Patients with cancer are increasingly recommended for genetic testing as standard of care. Multiple factors contribute to low usage of genetic testing but for many patients the lack of access to genetic counseling and testing is an important and flexible factor. Lack of access is especially relevant to racial/ethnic minority patients and those living in non-metropolitan rural settings who are frequently cared for at safety-net hospitals with limited genetics services. Alternative delivery models are necessary to improve rates of access to genetic testing in patients with cancer. Health information technology is under used by genetics providers. A patient-facing relational agent (PERLA) will provide pre-test genetics education in both English and Spanish across two clinical settings to facilitate more timely access to genetic testing. Using the PERLA intervention may help researchers learn different ways to provide education about genetic testing to patients with cancer compared to usual care.

This clinical trial compares the use of the connected customized treatment platform (CONCURxP), consisting of using a medication monitoring device called WiseBag along with text message reminders for missed or extra medication events, to enhanced usual care (EUC), where patients only use the WiseBag, to monitor medication adherence in patients with metastatic breast cancer who are taking a CKD4/6 inhibitor. To ensure CDK4/6 inhibitors achieve their full clinical benefit, patients need to take them as prescribed, following a complex treatment schedule. Forgetfulness was the most common reason reported for medication non adherence. Using the WiseBag along with CONCURxP or enhanced usual care may improve medication adherence in patients with metastatic breast cancer who are taking a CKD4/6 inhibitor.