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Cancer Counseling for Elderly Patients with Cancer

N/A
Waitlist Available
Led By Christian Nelson, MD
Research Sponsored by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Able to converse, write and read in English. The questionnaires were designed and validated in English and are not currently available in other languages. Translation of questionnaires into other languages would require a very lengthy process of reestablishing the reliability and validity and the establishment of norms for these measures. Therefore, participants must be able to communicate in English to complete the questionnaires.
Are receiving active treatment (e.g., radiation, hormone, or chemotherapy) or have been receiving treatment in the past 6 months for prostate, breast, lung, lymphoma, or gynecological cancer
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up up to 5 years
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial will study whether cancer counseling is feasible and effective for older patients.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for people aged 70 or older with prostate, breast, lung, lymphoma, or gynecological cancer. They must be able to communicate in English and are currently undergoing treatment or have been treated within the past 6 months. Participants should be relatively independent (Karnofsky score of 60+), mentally sharp enough to consent (BOMC ≤11), and feeling some emotional distress.
What is being tested?
The study tests if psychoeducation counseling can improve quality of life for elderly cancer patients by reducing depression, anxiety, loneliness, and improving coping skills. It compares group sessions versus individual phone counseling against a control group doing expressive writing.
What are the potential side effects?
There may not be direct physical side effects from participating in this type of psychological support intervention; however participants might experience emotional discomfort when discussing personal feelings related to their illness.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I can speak, write, and read in English.
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I am currently undergoing or have recently undergone treatment for cancer.
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I am 70 years old or older.
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I feel significant distress or have notable depression or anxiety.
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I am able to care for myself but may need occasional help.
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I have been diagnosed with prostate, breast, lung cancer, lymphoma, or a gynecological cancer.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~up to 5 years
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and up to 5 years for reporting.

Treatment Details

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

3Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: Psychoeducational Intervention GroupExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: Expressive Writing InterventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group III: Control GroupActive Control1 Intervention

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Who is running the clinical trial?

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterLead Sponsor
1,969 Previous Clinical Trials
597,144 Total Patients Enrolled
Joan Karnell Cancer Center at PennsylvaniaUNKNOWN
Christian Nelson, MDPrincipal InvestigatorMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
~5 spots leftby Sep 2025
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