Can smarter screening replace routine palliative care for cancer patients?
NCT ID NCT07446660
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study compares two approaches to early palliative care for people with advanced cancer. In one group, everyone gets a referral to palliative care. In the other, referrals happen only when patients report moderate-to-severe symptoms through an online screening tool. The goal is to see if the targeted approach works just as well at improving quality of life. About 650 participants will be followed for 24 weeks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Symptom screening with targeted early palliative care (STEP2)
What this could lead to
If successful, this approach could make palliative care more efficient, ensuring patients get help when needed without overburdening specialist teams.
What could go wrong
This is a noninferiority trial, so it may show that targeted care is not as good as routine care. Results depend on patient-reported outcomes, which can vary.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
RECRUITINGToronto, Ontario, M5G 2C1, Canada
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••