Preventing Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer in the VA (NCT07071454) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Preventing Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer in the VA
United States536 participantsStarted 2026-07-01
Plain-language summary
Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer death among Veterans. The starting age for colorectal cancer screening has been lowered from 50 to 45 years in response to the rising incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), but how to best engage younger Veterans in screening is unclear. The investigators will 1) develop and validate a novel risk score for EOCRC derived from the VA electronic health record data, 2) conduct a multilevel screening intervention that targets individuals aged 45-49 years and informs high-risk individuals and their providers about their risk status for EOCRC, and 3) determine barriers and facilitators to implementing the intervention using a qualitative process evaluation. Aim 2 is the focus of the trial. The overall goal of this study is to create and test a risk stratification approach to prevent EOCRC, which may be especially useful for younger individuals who are less likely to participate in preventive care.
Who can participate
Age range
45 Years – 49 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age 45-49 years at screening
Exclusion Criteria:
* Up-to-date with CRC screening based on the USPSTF guideline (e.g., colonoscopy within the past 10 years or FIT within the past year)
* Prior CRC diagnosis
* Prior total colectomy
* Limited life expectancy (defined as terminal illness, hospice enrollment, or documented life expectancy \<6 months on the medical problem list or a health factor in the EHR
* Deactivated national CRC screening and surveillance reminder (due to risk level or comorbidities)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Screening participation rate in groups that received vs. did not receive the patient intervention
Timeframe: 6 months
2
Screening participation rate in groups that received vs. did not receive the PCP intervention