Actively Recruiting
ChronCan (Chronicling Cancer): Piloting a Novel Writing Intervention With Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer
Led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · Updated on 2026-05-08
26
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
162 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are exploring how creative writing might help teenagers and young adults with cancer by studying a writing-based narrative medicine intervention. This pilot study aims to see if young cancer patients aged 15 to 25 want to participate in a guided writing exercise and whether they find the activity helpful for their well-being. The study is being conducted by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital with a focus on understanding this approach's feasibility and acceptability. Participants will write about their cancer experiences using open-ended prompts and receive support from an expert writer. They will meet briefly with this expert for 15 to 30 minutes at the start and may choose to have 1 to 3 additional meetings over two months for further guidance. After completing the writing exercise, participants will take part in an informal interview about their experience, occurring around two months after enrollment, with an optional second interview 6 to 12 months later. Bereaved parents of participants may also be interviewed. During the study, researchers will track how often participants meet with the writing expert and how many complete the writing exercise. The main outcomes include the acceptability of the intervention based on participants' reflections in the post-intervention interviews. The total involvement lasts about two months, with possible follow-up interviews later. This study does not involve any medication or medical procedures, focusing instead on behavioral support and personal storytelling.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Writing Intervention With Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Aged 15-25 years
- Currently receiving cancer-directed therapy
- Active patient at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Parent of a ChronCan participant who has passed away
You will not qualify if you...
- Does not meet the inclusion criteria
- Parents who have not responded or been interviewed by July 31, 2027
AI-Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Up to 2 months after enrollment
Participants engage in a guided writing exercise about their experiences with cancer, meeting briefly with an expert writer at the start and optionally 1 to 3 additional times over the next 2 months for support.
1 baseline visit and up to 3 follow-up visits
Duration - From 2 months to up to 12 months after enrollment
After completing the writing exercise, participants reflect on their experience in a semi-structured interview approximately 2 months after enrollment, with an optional second interview 6 to 12 months later. Bereaved parents may also participate in an interview.
1 to 2 interviews (in-person or remote)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, Tennessee, United States, 38105
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
E
Erica Kaye, MD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
OTHER
Number of Arms
1
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