Actively Recruiting
Barriers and Facilitators of Parent-Child Communication in Children With Cancer Predisposition
Led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · Updated on 2026-04-23
125
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
52 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying how parents communicate with children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 10 to 24) who have a genetic risk for cancer due to a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant in a known cancer predisposition gene. The study aims to understand the qualities of this communication, its impact on the young person's psychological well-being and cancer prevention behaviors, and the factors that help or hinder these conversations. This knowledge will help improve genetic education and support for families facing cancer risk. The study involves observing and analyzing how parents and their children talk about the child's genetic cancer risk through questionnaires and direct behavioral observations. A subgroup of participants will also take part in optional interviews to explore communication barriers and facilitators in more depth. This mixed-methods approach combines quantitative data with qualitative insights to provide a thorough understanding of family communication about cancer risk. Participants and their caregivers will complete questionnaires and participate in observed communication sessions at the start of the study. A smaller group will be invited for interviews over up to four years. Researchers will assess psychological outcomes such as anxiety and depression using standardized tools, knowledge about cancer risk and prevention, and the quality of communication between parents and children. The study is observational and does not involve treatment. Participation requires the ability to speak and read English and includes ongoing monitoring of psychosocial and prevention outcomes.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Barriers and Facilitators of Parent-Child Communication in Children With Cancer Predisposition
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Patient aged 10 to 24 years (inclusive)
- Patient underwent germline genetic testing with a Pathogenic/Likely Pathogenic (P/LP) variant in a known cancer predisposition gene that increases risk for developing cancer
- P/LP result disclosed to the patient
- Patient has a primary caregiver willing to participate
- Patient and participating caregiver able to speak and read English
You will not qualify if you...
- Patient is only a carrier of a recessive variant that does not alone increase risk for cancer
- Inability or unwillingness of patient or participating caregiver to give informed consent/assent
- Participating caregiver is under the age of 18 years
- Patient or participating caregiver has evidence of significant cognitive deficits that would interfere with the ability to comprehend study questions
- Patient's medical status or condition precludes completion of study as determined by medical team, patient, or parent
AI-Screening
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Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or remote)
Duration - 1 day
Participants complete questionnaires and direct behavioral observations to characterize parent-child communication and examine psychosocial and prevention outcomes.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Up to 4 years
A subset of participants complete optional qualitative interviews to identify barriers and facilitators of parent-child communication about genetic cancer risk.
Interviews scheduled as needed over study period
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, Tennessee, United States, 38105
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
K
Katianne Sharp, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
0
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