Colorectal Cancer Screening in the Homeless
mHealth Navigation Using SMS Texting to Improve CRC Screening Among Homeless Persons
2 other identifiers
interventional
588
1 country
1
Brief Summary
This study is designed to assess the effect of implementing a text messaging strategy for colorectal cancer screening among homeless persons aged 45-75 years, who are not up to date on colorectal cancer screening, in shelter clinics in NYC. This mixed-methods study uses a randomized clinical trial design and semi-structured interviews.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for not_applicable colorectal-cancer
Started Jul 2026
Longer than P75 for not_applicable colorectal-cancer
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
Click on a node to explore related trials.
Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
October 21, 2025
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
October 23, 2025
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
July 1, 2026
ExpectedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
June 1, 2030
Study Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
October 1, 2030
October 28, 2025
October 1, 2025
3.9 years
October 21, 2025
October 24, 2025
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Completion of CRC Screening
Completed rates of CRC screenings (colonoscopy or FIT test)
6 months
Secondary Outcomes (1)
Perceptions, Attitudes, and Experiences on SMS texts
6 months
Study Arms (2)
Colorectal Cancer Specific Education
EXPERIMENTAL6 months of mHealth Colorectal cancer educational messages. The content will address elements such as activating and educating patients, exploring and removing challenges, accommodating personal goals, and engaging and targeting subgroups. Texts will be delivered to encourage cancer screenings and lifestyle changes, and participants will receive appointment reminders before each appointment with a follow-up text and robocall if the appointment is missed.
General Health Education
OTHER6 months of mHealth, including basic healthcare and general health promotion via SMS texts that do not overlap with CRC screening content.
Interventions
Specific colorectal cancer educational SMS text messages are sent to participants' mobile phones
Standard health information SMS text messages sent to participants' mobile phones
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Homeless persons aged 45 - 75 years old, with no up-to-date colorectal cancer screening defined as: 1) no colonoscopy in the past 10 years, or 2) no Flexible sigmoidoscopy, Digital Contrast Barium Enema, or CT colonoscopy in the past 5 years, or 3) no Fecal Immunochemical Test/Fecal Occult Blood in the past 12 months or mt-sDNA/Cologuard Test in the past three years
- English or Spanish speaking
- currently presenting to the shelter clinics for medical care
- connected to multidisciplinary social and health services in NYC shelter clinics
You may not qualify if:
- known active/uncontrolled illness rendering homeless persons to undergo screening, CRC in the past 2 years, colectomy, Inflammatory Bowel Dis., Familial Adenomatous Polyposis or other colorectal diseases in which screening is different from average CRC risk and methods, inability to consent, serious/significant comorbidity where life expectancy is limited or screening is not recommended, which will be verified by their respective provider
- inability to read and respond to SMS texts
- any condition preventing participants from providing informed consent.
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
George Washington University
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20052, United States
Related Publications (4)
Asgary R, Garland V, Jakubowski A, Sckell B. Colorectal cancer screening among the homeless population of New York City shelter-based clinics. Am J Public Health. 2014 Jul;104(7):1307-13. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301792. Epub 2014 May 15.
PMID: 24832144BACKGROUNDAsgary R, Sckell B, Alcabes A, Naderi R, Ogedegbe G. Perspectives of cancer and cancer screening among homeless adults of New York City shelter-based clinics: a qualitative approach. Cancer Causes Control. 2015 Oct;26(10):1429-38. doi: 10.1007/s10552-015-0634-0. Epub 2015 Jul 25.
PMID: 26208591BACKGROUNDAsgary R, Sckell B, Alcabes A, Naderi R, Adongo P, Ogedegbe G. Perceptions, Attitudes, and Experience Regarding mHealth Among Homeless Persons in New York City Shelters. J Health Commun. 2015;20(12):1473-80. doi: 10.1080/10810730.2015.1033117. Epub 2015 Aug 27.
PMID: 26313765BACKGROUNDAsgary R. Cancer screening in the homeless population. Lancet Oncol. 2018 Jul;19(7):e344-e350. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(18)30200-6. Epub 2018 Jun 29.
PMID: 30084381BACKGROUND
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Interventions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Ramin Asgary, MD, MPH
George Washington University
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- SINGLE
- Who Masked
- INVESTIGATOR
- Masking Details
- Data analyst
- Purpose
- HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Professor
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
October 21, 2025
First Posted
October 23, 2025
Study Start (Estimated)
July 1, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
June 1, 2030
Study Completion (Estimated)
October 1, 2030
Last Updated
October 28, 2025
Record last verified: 2025-10