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Expressive Writing for Young Cancer Survivors

N/A
Recruiting
Led By Qian Lu, MD,PHD
Research Sponsored by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
No evidence of disease
Age 18-39 years at study entry
Must not have
Nonmelanoma skin cancer
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up baseline, and 1- and 3-month follow-up
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

"This trial aims to understand the experiences of young cancer survivors and see if participating in a group writing program can improve their quality of life."

Who is the study for?
This trial is for English-speaking cancer survivors aged 18-39, who were diagnosed with stage II-IV cancer between ages 15-39 and are within 5 years post-treatment. Participants should have no current evidence of disease and internet access. Those with major mental health disorders or nonmelanoma skin cancer cannot join.
What is being tested?
The study explores a virtual group-based expressive writing intervention aimed at improving the quality of life for young adult cancer survivors. It involves participants from different age groups (18-25, 26-39) sharing their experiences through guided writing sessions.
What are the potential side effects?
Since this is a writing intervention, traditional medical side effects are not expected. However, discussing personal experiences with cancer could potentially lead to emotional discomfort or psychological distress.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
Select...
My cancer is currently not detectable.
Select...
I am between 18 and 39 years old.
Select...
I was diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15 and 39.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
Select...
I have been diagnosed with a type of skin cancer that is not melanoma.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~baseline, and 1- and 3-month follow-up
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline, and 1- and 3-month follow-up for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Intervention Adherence Rate
Study Completion Rate
Secondary study objectives
Common Humanity & Self-Kindness
Coping self-efficacy
Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General
+3 more

Side effects data

From 2013 Phase 1 & 2 trial • 16 Patients • NCT01923896
13%
Diarrhea
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Study treatment Arm
Behavioral Intervention & DCS
Behavioral Intervention & Placebo

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
Group I: Young adults (ages 26-39 years)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants complete questionnaires over 20 minutes about their mood, health, and demographic information at baseline, and 1, and 3 months. Participants are asked to write about their cancer experiences over 20 minutes (non-stop) for 4 weeks.
Group II: General group (ages 18-39 years)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants complete questionnaires over 20 minutes about their mood, health, and demographic information at baseline, and 1, and 3 months. Participants are asked to write about their cancer experiences over 20 minutes (non-stop) for 4 weeks.
Group III: Emerging adults (ages18-25 years)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants complete questionnaires over 20 minutes about their mood, health, and demographic information at baseline, and 1, and 3 months. Participants are asked to write about their cancer experiences over 20 minutes (non-stop) for 4 weeks.
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Behavioral Intervention
2021
Completed Phase 4
~3740

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

M.D. Anderson Cancer CenterLead Sponsor
3,059 Previous Clinical Trials
1,800,638 Total Patients Enrolled
National Cancer Institute (NCI)NIH
13,906 Previous Clinical Trials
41,016,769 Total Patients Enrolled
Qian Lu, MD,PHDPrincipal InvestigatorM.D. Anderson Cancer Center
1 Previous Clinical Trials
1,200 Total Patients Enrolled
~20 spots leftby Sep 2026
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