FoRtitude: An eHealth program to help breast cancer survivors manage fear of recurrence
Official title: Randomized controlled trial of FoRtitude: Targeted eHealth intervention to reduce fear of recurrence among breast cancer survivors in community oncology settings
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11128786 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program offers breast cancer survivors an online tool to help them cope with the worry that their cancer might come back.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $657,618 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA282682-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11128786 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this program are breast cancer survivors who experience moderate to severe fear that their cancer might return.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience fear of recurrence or are not breast cancer survivors may not find this program beneficial.
What this research studies
Many breast cancer survivors experience a deep worry about their cancer returning, even years after treatment. This program, called FoRtitude, is an online tool designed to teach coping strategies based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It aims to make these helpful strategies more accessible to survivors who might face challenges like finding providers or managing costs. The program also includes culturally sensitive content and support through telephone coaching to help more people benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could provide an accessible and effective way for breast cancer survivors to significantly reduce their fear of recurrence and improve their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: A previous version of this program, FoRtitude 1.0, showed a significant reduction in fear of recurrence among breast cancer survivors who participated.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wagner, Lynne I. — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Wagner, Lynne I.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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FoRtitude: an online program to ease fear of cancer recurrence for breast cancer survivors
A woman who has finished breast cancer treatment uses an online program to learn easy CBT-based steps to feel less worried about cancer coming back.
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Helping breast cancer survivors manage their fear of cancer returning
This study is testing a helpful online program called FoRtitude, designed to support breast cancer survivors in managing their fear of the cancer coming back, using friendly tools and strategies over four weeks.
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Impact of fear of cancer recurrence on health behaviors in breast cancer survivors and their partners
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.