ProChange Behavior Solutions Awarded Phase II SBIR Grant from the National Cancer Institute
ProChange Behavior Solutions is proud to announce that it has been awarded a highly competitive Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Cancer Institute to continue development of PreCharge: An Innovative Digital Program to Increase Coping, Resilience, and Health Care Engagement Among Cancer Previvors. The 2.5-year project builds on the success of Phase I, which demonstrated strong engagement, acceptability, and promising outcomes for previvors—individuals who test positive for hereditary cancer syndromes (HCS) but have not developed cancer.
The project is led by Principal Investigator Kerry E. Evers, Ph.D., Co-President and CEO of ProChange Behavior Solutions. The announcement comes on a particularly meaningful day—FORCE Previvor Day, October 1, 2025, which takes place during National Hereditary Cancer Week (September 28 – October 4, 2025).
I am thrilled to continue this important and very personal work through Phase II of PreCharge, said Dr. Evers. As both a scientist and someone with lived experience in the previvor community, I know firsthand the unique challenges individuals face after a positive genetic test result. PreCharge has the potential to transform the way previvors receive support by offering personalized, evidence-based tools that promote resilience, reduce anxiety, and empower engagement in health care decisions.
– Dr. Kerry E. Evers, Co-President & CEO, ProChange Behavior Solutions
Hereditary Cancer Syndromes account for an estimated 5–10% of all diagnosed cancers. Individuals who test positive for inherited genetic mutations—previvors—carry up to an 80% lifetime risk of cancer, often face earlier onset, and may experience multiple primary cancers. Beyond medical risk, previvors struggle with “scanxiety,” the stress of ongoing medical surveillance, and the emotional burden of managing both their own health and that of family members who share the same mutation.
While advances in genetic testing have made hereditary cancer syndromes easier to identify, programs to support previvors’ mental health and emotional well-being remain limited. PreCharge was designed to fill this gap with an innovative, scalable digital solution.
From Phase I Success to Phase II Innovation
Phase I of PreCharge involved a 1-month pilot with 134 previvors. Results showed statistically significant improvements in confidence to cope, notable gains in resilience and psychological flexibility, and decreases in symptoms of anxiety and depression. The program was also rated highly acceptable and engaging by participants.
Phase II will fully develop PreCharge into a comprehensive program that combines tailored assessments, interactive tools, and proactive text message support. Over the next 2.5 years, ProChange will conduct a rigorous 6-month randomized controlled trial with 574 previvors to evaluate efficacy, engagement, and acceptability. Outcomes will include confidence to cope, resilience, anxiety, and depression.
Successful completion of Phase II will position PreCharge as an evidence-based intervention ready for dissemination to genetic testing providers, genetic counselors, wellness platforms, and other health care organizations.
Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R44CA275673. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.