Digital Peer Navigation Support Program for Young Adults Aged 18 to 40 Who Have Completed Cancer Treatment

What this Trial Is About

Adolescents and young adults AYA who have finished cancer treatment face unique challenges including ongoing symptoms, treatment complications, disrupted education and careers, and financial difficulties. They often lack access to peers, relevant information, and emotional support, leading to gaps in care. This study aims to adapt and evaluate a digital peer navigation program originally developed for prostate cancer patients, to support AYA cancer survivors during their post-treatment phase and help them better manage their health. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive the digital peer navigation program or usual care. Those in the intervention group will be matched with a trained peer navigator through a digital app for three months. Peer navigators will provide practical, informational, and emotional support via messaging, videoconference, or telephone. The app also offers a health resource library with cancer-related information. Control group participants will receive usual care and may access the intervention after the study. Participants will be assessed at the start and after three months for patient activation, health utility, supportive care needs, anxiety, depression, and social support. The study will also monitor app usage, patient-navigator interactions, and cost-effectiveness. Interviews will gather experiences to understand how the program works and identify barriers and facilitators. The study duration for each participant is three months post-treatment support and follow-up.

Digital Peer Navigation for Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer