Psilocybin-assisted Psychotherapy for Fear of Cancer Recurrence in Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

If you are a woman with early-stage breast cancer and experiences fear that the cancer could come back, this trial would explore whether a guided psychotherapy session with a psilocybin-assisted dose could ease that worry. Participants would engage in psychotherapy alongside a controlled psilocybin experience under medical supervision, aiming for lasting reductions in anxiety, depression, and existential distress. The goal is to see if this approach provides meaningful and durable relief where current options are limited. The study builds on prior findings in cancer patients and seeks to confirm effects in a homogenous early-stage breast cancer group.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• New York University School of Medicine
  New York, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Ross, Stephen — New York University School of Medicine
• Study coordinator: Ross, Stephen

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• 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.

  NIH research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, United States · NIH-11376163

• FoRtitude: An eHealth program to help breast cancer survivors manage fear of recurrence

  This program offers breast cancer survivors an online tool to help them cope with the worry that their cancer might come back.

  NIH research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, United States · NIH-11128786

• Impact of fear of cancer recurrence on health behaviors in breast cancer survivors and their partners

  This study looks at how the fear of cancer coming back impacts the health habits of breast cancer survivors and their partners, focusing on things like taking medications, staying active, and getting good sleep, to help understand how these feelings and behaviors affect each other over time.

  NIH research University of Delaware · Newark, UNITED STATES · NIH-11064846

• 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.

  NIH research Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, United States · NIH-10980062

• Helping breast cancer survivors cope with fear of cancer recurrence

  This study is looking at how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can help breast cancer survivors who are really worried about their cancer coming back, so they can feel better and live more fully.

  NIH research Indiana University Indianapolis · Indianapolis, United States · NIH-10872132

• Gene expression marks high risk for very late breast cancer return

  A patient-focused study aims to find gene patterns that identify women with early breast cancer who are most likely to have cancer come back more than a decade later.

  NIH research University of Vermont & St Agric College · Burlington, United States · NIH-11535236

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.