How does giving a little vs. a lot of information about screening for ovarian cancer based on genetic risk assessment influence thoughts and feelings about taking part in ovarian cancer genetic testing and screening?

ISRCTN ISRCTN48627877
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN48627877
Secondary identifying numbers N/A
Submission date
04/03/2015
Registration date
28/04/2015
Last edited
16/03/2020
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Cancer
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Despite progress in early detection and treatment for many cancers, ovarian cancer (OC) remains a leading cause of cancer death in women. The absence of a distinct ‘pre-cancerous’ stage combined with non-specific symptoms such as bloating and back pain makes timely detection challenging. A novel research programme (PROMISE, jointly funded by CRUK and The Eve Appeal) is currently under way to test whether a ‘personalized’ approach to ovarian cancer screening (which includes assessment of genetic risk markers alongside biomarkers and epidemiological data) could improve current risk prediction approaches; making population-based screening for ovarian cancer feasible. One important aspect of the research is to discover how to best convey the potential benefits and risks of the programme to women to help them make an informed decision about participating in the PROMISE programme.

Who can participate?
All women aged 18-74 who are able to give informed consent and who have not been diagnosed with ovarian cancer

What does the study involve?
The study is run over the Internet. Participants are randomly allocated into one of two groups and are asked to visit one of two versions of the website informing about PROMISE. Here, they find information about ovarian cancer, genetic testing and PROMISE. Participants are instructed to browse the website at their leisure, and to make a hypothetical decision whether or not they'd like to take part in PROMISE. Participants are asked questions about ovarian cancer and genetic testing before and after visiting the website. They are also asked about their thoughts and feelings about taking part in PROMISE after they visited the website.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants get information about ovarian cancer and its symptoms. Participants also learn about potential benefits and harms of ovarian cancer screening. This may be helpful in current and future related health decision making. In addition, participants are referred to trusted sources to find out further information should they wish to do so (e.g. CRUK; The Eve Appeal, Ovacome). Thinking about cancer may be upsetting for some people. Full information is provided about ovarian cancer at the end of the study and participants are referred to trusted sources to find out further information should they wish to do so (e.g. CRUK; Eve Appeal, Ovacome).

Where is the study run from?
The Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London, London (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2015 to September 2016

Who is funding the study?
The study is jointly funded by Cancer Research UK and The Eve Appeal

Who is the main contact?
Dr Susanne Meisel
susanne.meisel@ucl.ac.uk

Contact information

Dr Susanne Meisel
Scientific

Health Behaviour Research Centre
University College London
1-19 Torrington Place
London
WC1E 6BT
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-5080-3050
Phone +44 (0)2076791789
Email susanne.meisel@ucl.ac.uk

Study information

Study designWeb-based single-centre open individually randomized controlled trial, 1:1 group allocation
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Internet/virtual
Study typeScreening
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleThe impact of brief vs. extended information about personalized, risk-stratified ovarian cancer screening based on genetic risk assessment on intentions to participate in risk-stratified ovarian cancer screening: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Study objectivesThis study will test the impact of information format (brief vs. extended) on hypothetical uptake of risk-stratified OC screening based on genetic risk, genetic literacy and knowledge about OC, and decision satisfaction in a web-based randomized controlled trial.
Ethics approval(s)Not provided at time of registration
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedOvarian cancer screening
InterventionWe will create two versions of a website outlining information about OC risk, genetic testing and the risk-stratification programme (PROMISE) for the purpose of this study. With the exception of content length, all components of the website (layout, overarching themes, and decision aid) will be standardised.

1. Intervention group (‘brief’ information)
Following baseline measurements, participants randomized to access the ‘brief’ version of the website will be invited to browse the website at their leisure. They can access each component of the website in the order they prefer. At any point, they can choose to access the decision aid which aims to help them to make a hypothetical decision about participation in PROMISE in line with their personal values.

2. Control group (‘extended’ information)
The extended version of the website is based on information given to patients attending clinical genetics services; resembling a ‘usual care’ arm of the trial. Following baseline measurements, participants randomized to the ‘extended’ version of the website will will also be invited to browse the website at their leisure. Identical to the intervention group, they can also access each component of the website in the order they prefer, and they can choose to access the decision aid at any point.
Intervention typeBehavioural
Primary outcome measureIntention to participate in personalized-risk stratified OC screening, measured 1-2 weeks after the intervention
Secondary outcome measures1. Changes in knowledge about ovarian cancer and genetic literacy
2. Decision satisfaction

Measured 1-2 weeks after the intervention.
Overall study start date01/04/2015
Completion date30/09/2016

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit74 Years
SexFemale
Target number of participants600
Key inclusion criteria1. Women
2. Aged 18-74
3. Able to give informed consent
4. No personal history of ovarian cancer
Key exclusion criteria1. Women not able to give informed consent
2. Personal history of ovarian cancer
Date of first enrolment01/05/2015
Date of final enrolment30/08/2016

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London
1-19 Torrington Place
London
WC1E 6BT
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University College London
University/education

Gower Street
London
WC1E 6BT
England
United Kingdom

Website http://www.ucl.ac.uk
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/02jx3x895

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Cancer Research UK
Private sector organisation / Other non-profit organizations
Alternative name(s)
CR_UK, Cancer Research UK - London, CRUK
Location
United Kingdom
The Eve Appeal (UK)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planFindings from the current study will form the basis for the PROMISE feasibility study website. Results from this study will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and at conferences. In addition, research findings will be disseminated via social media (Twitter), the HBRC blog and news outlets. These should be accessible for participants.
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 16/11/2017 Yes No

Editorial Notes

16/03/2020: Internal review.
20/11/2017: Publication reference added.