Initial Testing of a Behavioral Intervention About Genetic Services for Families at Risk of Lynch Syndrome

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to see if our education materials help people at risk for Lynch syndrome decide about seeking genetic services. Untested relatives of patients with Lynch syndrome will be recruited to complete a baseline survey and will be randomized to receive either the an information letter or an information letter plus a booklet. Two follow-up surveys will be administered over the span of 6 months. Participants will also be invited to join an optional exit interview to provide feedback.

Conditions

  • Cascade Testing
  • Lynch Syndrome
  • Decision Making
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Uterine Cancer
  • Cancer Prevention

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Sex
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Criteria

Probands Inclusion Criteria:

- English speaking

- at least 18 years old

- have had genetic testing for Lynch syndrome (LS)

- do not have a condition that would interfere with their ability to provide informed
consent and complete study activities (e.g., cognitive dysfunction evaluated using
clinical judgment during screening)

Clinical Trial Participants Inclusion Criteria:

- English-speaking

- at least 18 years old

- a blood relative of a patient who was diagnosed with LS

- potentially at risk for LS

- have not scheduled or had pre-test genetic counseling or genetic testing for LS

- do not have a personal history of a cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer)

- do not have a condition that would interfere with their ability to provide informed
consent and complete study activities (e.g., cognitive dysfunction evaluated using
clinical judgment during screening)

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Diagnostic
Masking
Single (Outcomes Assessor)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Active Comparator
Information Letter
This arm provides an information letter about Lynch syndrome and genetic services.
  • Behavioral: Information Letter and Booklet
    an information letter with a booklet for at-risk families highlighting implications of family history, testing considerations, steps for genetic testing, and potential costs.
  • Behavioral: Information Letter
    an information letter with basic information about LS and implications of counseling and testing of LS, and a few websites for more information and locating genetic counselors.
Experimental
Information Letter and Booklet
This arm provides an information letter with a booklet about Lynch syndrome and genetic services.
  • Behavioral: Information Letter and Booklet
    an information letter with a booklet for at-risk families highlighting implications of family history, testing considerations, steps for genetic testing, and potential costs.

Recruiting Locations

UAB
Birmingham, Alabama 35233
Contact:
study team
205-914-2249
LSPilotStudy@uabmc.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Study Contact

Haoyang Yan, PhD
205-914-2249
LSPilotStudy@uabmc.edu

Detailed Description

Lynch syndrome runs in families. It increases the risk of many types of cancer. Pre-test genetic counseling is an opportunity for at-risk people to determine whether genetic testing is right for them. Genetic testing looks for harmful changes in the genes known to cause Lynch syndrome. However, Lynch syndrome is underdiagnosed and uptake of genetic counseling and testing is low, missing opportunities for cancer prevention and early treatment. This study is a 2-arm randomized controlled pilot trial. We aim to recruit 48 relatives at risk of LS (from about 137 probands) and randomize them to receive either the an information letter or an information letter plus a booklet. Only one relative will be enrolled per family. The primary aim of this pilot trial is to evaluate and optimize feasibility of the trial methods and the education materials to prepare for a fully powered randomized controlled trial. A brief exit interview will be conducted at 6-months post-randomization to gather any feedback about the study methods. Reasons of those who refuse to participate or drop out of the study will be assessed throughout the study.