CoGENES Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

Purpose

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of trained community engagement specialists for improving communication on colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention and genetic testing among Hispanic/Latino/a/x (H/L) communities. CRC is the second and third leading cause of cancer deaths among United States (US) H/L men and women respectively. Knowledge of inherited germline mutations (changes in a gene that occurs in a sperm or egg cell) is critical for understanding cause of disease and can impact patient treatment options and outcomes. Educational programs and participant engagement approaches focused on H/L individuals considering Latino cultural values, literacy, numeracy, barriers faced, cultural beliefs and attitudes, as well as language of participants are much needed to address these observed disparities. The Community Genetic Navigation Specialists (CoGENES) Program focuses on increasing knowledge, and preparing the CoGENES trainees to help respond to questions, fears, and concerns regarding genetic testing, counseling, biospecimen (sample of urine, blood, or tissue cells) donation and participation in clinical trials to H/L community members, patients and their families. CoGENES may improve communication on colorectal cancer prevention and genetic testing which can help reduce cancer disparities among H/L communities.

Condition

  • Colorectal Carcinoma

Eligibility

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

Inclusion Criteria

  • Must be 18 years of age or older - Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent - Self-reported H/L ethnicity, of any race - Ability to read, write, and speak Spanish or English - Resides in Los Angeles County

Exclusion Criteria

  • Anyone younger than 18 years of age - Any person with major cognitive deficit or psychiatric impairment - Any person unable to read and write Spanish or English - Resides outside of Los Angeles County - Any person who considers themselves a community health educator or "promotor/a de salud" and/or has taken in the past three years training on colorectal cancer and/or cancer genetics

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Health Services Research
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Active Comparator
Group 1 (usual care)
Participants receive a packet of existing information materials about colorectal cancer prevention, screening, and genetic testing to review at their own pace over 6-10 weeks. Participants may optionally receive a CoGENES training session within 2 weeks post-intervention.
  • Other: Best Practice
    Receive a packet of existing information materials about colorectal cancer prevention, screening, and genetic testing
    Other names:
    • standard of care
    • standard therapy
  • Other: Survey Administration
    Ancillary studies
Experimental
Group 2 (CoGENES)
Participants receive a CoGENES training session over 45-60 minutes.
  • Other: Health Promotion and Education
    Receive CoGENES training
  • Other: Survey Administration
    Ancillary studies

Recruiting Locations

USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
Los Angeles, California 90033
Contact:
Mariana C. Stern
323-865-0811
marianas@usc.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
University of Southern California

Study Contact

Bianca Rosales
323-865-0811
Biancar@usc.edu

Detailed Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: I. To develop a local workforce of trained community engagement specialists to act as liaison agents to improve communication on genetic research, clinical genetic testing, and counseling to Hispanic/Latino/a/x (H/L) individuals. OUTLINE: Participants are randomized to 1 of 2 groups. GROUP 1: Participants receive a packet of existing information materials about colorectal cancer prevention, screening, and genetic testing to review at their own pace over 6-10 weeks. Participants may optionally receive a CoGENES training session within 2 weeks post-intervention. GROUP 2: Participants receive a CoGENES training session over 45-60 minutes. After completion of study intervention, participants are followed up at 8 weeks, 6 months and 12 months.