Referral

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.

This phase II trial compares the effect of time-restricted eating (TRE) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) receptor agonists (RA), semaglutide and tirzepatide, to an American Heart Association (AHA) heart healthy diet (HHD) intervention on heart and blood vessel health (cardiovascular system) and how the body processes food for energy (metabolic system) in prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Prostate cancer patients who are receiving hormonal therapy (ADT) are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This is thought to be due to treatment-related metabolic changes which may result in increased weight, body fat, insulin resistance and an increased risk of heart attack, stroke or other heart and blood vessel problems. TRE (also known as intermittent fasting) is an eating plan that alternates between fasting and non-fasting periods. This approach limits calorie intake to a specific window of time each day. GLP1-RAs, semaglutide and tirzepatide are in a class of medications called incretin mimetics. They work by helping the pancreas to release the right amount of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. Insulin helps move sugar from the blood into other body tissues where it is used for energy. They also slow the movement of food through the stomach and may decrease appetite and cause weight loss. The AHA HHD guidelines may be an effective method to help people learn about following a heart healthy eating plan. This may lower their risk of cardiovascular disease. Metabolic interventions, TRE and GLP1-RA, may be more effective than an AHA HHD intervention alone in improving cardiovascular and metabolic health in prostate cancer patients undergoing ADT.

This clinical trial studies whether a navigation program improves survivorship support service participation among survivors of breast cancer that has not spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (non-metastatic). Advances in treatment have caused the number of breast cancer survivors to grow. As this number increases, there are reported unmet supportive care needs in this population, including psychological distress and limitations in physical functioning. To address these needs, many cancer centers offer programming on a variety of topics including psychological services, exercise counseling, and nutrition counseling. Research has shown that while interest in these survivorship programs is high, participation remains low, especially among minority women. Navigation is a healthcare service that is designed to guide a patient through the healthcare system and reduce barriers to timely screening, follow-up, diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care. The navigation program in this trial is specifically focused on helping breast cancer survivors schedule and attend survivorship consultation appointments as well as providing additional support to underserved/vulnerable patients. A navigation program may be effective in improving survivorship support service participation among non-metastatic breast cancer survivors.