PreCharge: a digital program to boost coping and engagement for people with hereditary cancer risks
Official title: PreCharge: An Innovative Digital Program to Increase Coping, Resilience, and Health Care Engagement Among Cancer Previvors
Funded at Pro-Change Behavior Systems, INC. · NIH-11380960 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A digital program helps people who carry hereditary cancer mutations cope better, stay resilient, and stay engaged with their health care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pro-Change Behavior Systems, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Narragansett, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $676,175 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA275673-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11380960 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with hereditary cancer risk who test positive for HCS mutations and are navigating surveillance and care decisions.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without an inherited cancer risk or those not interested in digital behavioral support may not benefit.
What this research studies
If you carry a hereditary cancer risk, this project offers a digital intervention that uses personalized feedback, text reminders, interactive activities, and just-in-time support to improve mental well-being and how you manage your cancer risk. It builds on prior development to make the program scalable and user-friendly, with the goal of helping previvors handle anxiety, stay adherent to screenings, and stay connected with care teams. The study design aims to translate a prototype into a usable tool that patients can access to support their emotional health while navigating surveillance and family considerations. Participation would involve engaging with the digital program and related assessments to track coping, resilience, and care engagement. The overarching aim is to reduce “scanxiety” and improve quality of life for individuals at high inherited cancer risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help previvors manage anxiety, stick to recommended surveillance, and stay proactive in their care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous phases informed the current prototype, and digital behavioral interventions have shown promise in similar populations.
Where this research is happening
-
Pro-Change Behavior Systems, INC.
Narragansett, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Evers, Kerry — Pro-Change Behavior Systems, INC.
- Study coordinator: Evers, Kerry
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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.