Stepped-Care Telehealth for Distress in Cancer Survivors

Noting the need for evidence-based cancer survivorship care, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) published guidelines for screening, assessment, and care of psychosocial distress (anxiety, depression) in adults with cancer. These guidelines recommend screening all adults with cancer for distress and treating those with moderate or severe symptoms using a stepped-care approach tailored to distress severity. While these guidelines apply to survivors with all cancer types across the cancer treatment and survivorship continuum, we have chosen to focus on survivors with non-metastatic breast, colorectal, prostate, uterine, and cervical cancers , as well as those with any stage lymphoma (Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkin's). Further, we have focused on the post-treatment survivorship period 6 months-5 years post-treatment because distress may be more likely to be assessed and addressed after treatment completion. A significant minority of post-treatment survivors is at risk for anxiety and depression symptoms during the five years following the end of treatment and accessible interventions are needed to treat them.

The purpose of this study is to test a method of implementing this stepped-care approach in community oncology practices caring for cancer survivors, using self-directed and stepped-care telehealth approaches based on cognitive-behavioral theory. Our approach is based on a previous trial of telephone-based cognitive behavioral therapy for rural older adults with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (NIMH 1R01MH083664: The Tranquil Moments Study; PI: Brenes), which has demonstrated high acceptability and efficacy for reducing anxiety, worry, and depressive symptoms in a rural geriatric population. This protocol adapts the methods of the previous trial to bring psychosocial care to underserved cancer survivors, many of whom have minimal or no access to mental health providers. Cancer survivors will be recruited through multiple NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) sites through the NCI-funded Wake Forest NCORP Research Base (WF NCORP RB).

We will obtain data on feasibility, outcome variability, and efficacy for designing a subsequent fully powered randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessing the effects of the intervention on distress in cancer survivors. In the planned larger study, we anticipate that this intervention will: (a) reduce treatment barriers for post-treatment cancer survivors; (b) enhance availability of psychosocial treatment (through use of telephone sessions and a workbook); and (c) result in reductions in anxiety and depressive symptoms in cancer survivors.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥18 years
• Score ≥10 on the GAD-7 and/or a score ≥8 on the PHQ-9, indicating clinically significant anxiety or depressive symptoms, respectively.
• Past history of treated Stage I, II, or III (newly diagnosed or recurrent) breast, colorectal, prostate, gynecologic (to include uterine and cervical) cancers and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
• 6-60 months post-treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy) for cancer. Time frame applies to most recent completion of treatment if participant had a cancer recurrence. It is acceptable to be on maintenance or hormonal therapies.
• Participant resides in California, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, or Wisconsin
• Study-trained therapist in the state where the participant resides.
• Must be able to speak and understand English.
• Must have access to a telephone

Exclusion criteria

• Current psychotherapy [regular appointment(s) with a psychologist, counselor, or therapist within the last 30 days prior to randomization].
• Self-reported active alcohol or substance abuse within the last 30 days.
• Past history of prostate cancer or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with only active surveillance (i.e., no surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy).
• Diagnosis of a second malignancy (except for non-melanoma skin cancers) after a previous diagnosis of breast, colorectal, gynecologic cancers and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Progressive cancer (must be considered no evidence of disease or stable)
• Self -reported history of a diagnosis of dementia from a healthcare provider.
• Self -reported psychotic symptoms in the last 30 days prior to randomization
• Active suicidal ideation (currently reported suicidal plan and intent).
• Any change in psychotropic medications within the last 30 days.
• Hearing loss that would preclude participating in telephone sessions (determined by brief hearing assessment administered by research staff)
• Failure/inability/unwillingness to provide names and contact information for two family members or friends to serve as emergency contacts during the course of the study.