The EASE Study: Helping People with Advanced Cancer Cope with Fear of Cancer Progression

About the Study

This study is testing a new approach to help people with different types of advanced cancer cope with fear about their cancer getting worse. The study will compare whether a short series of guided writing sessions delivered by telehealth works better than usual supportive care.

Researchers are measuring whether the program reduces:

• Fear of cancer progression.
• Cancer-related trauma symptoms.

They are also measuring changes in:

• Anxiety.
• Depression.
• Hopelessness.
• Quality of life.

What the Study Involves

The study will be done remotely using telehealth. Participants will be randomly assigned (by chance) to one of two groups:

EASE Intervention Group
Participants selected for this group will:

• Attend 6 one-on-one sessions (about 60 minutes each) by telehealth
• Complete guided writing exercises during sessions, including:
  • Writing about their worst fears related to cancer.
  • Describing thoughts and feelings in detail.
  • Writing about how to cope with these situations.
• Work through both reflection and coping strategies over time

Sessions include:

• Early sessions: identifying and writing about a “worst-case” scenario.
• Middle sessions: exploring thoughts and emotions in detail.
• Later sessions: developing realistic perspectives and coping approaches.

Usual Care Group
Participants selected for this group will:

• Continue with supportive care available at their cancer center.
• May meet with providers such as social workers or nurse practitioners, if needed.
• Report any supportive care services they use during the study.

All participants
Participants in both groups will be asked to complete surveys at the start of the study, midpoint, within one week of the end of the study and 3 months after the end of the study. The survey will include questions about:

• Fear of cancer progression.
• Anxiety and depression.
• Quality of life.

People with all of the following may be eligible:

• Age 18 or older
• Diagnosed with advanced cancer, including:
  • Stage IV solid tumors
  • Recurrent stage III ovarian cancer
  • Extensive-stage small cell lung cancer
  • Glioblastoma
• Experiencing significant fear about cancer progression
• Experiencing cancer-related stress or trauma symptoms
• Able to take part in sessions and write for about 30 minutes
• Able to read and speak English or Spanish
• Able to complete surveys in English

People with any of the following may not be able to participate: 

• Recent serious mental health concerns (such as recent hospitalization or suicide attempt)
• Ongoing severe trauma unrelated to cancer
• High current suicide risk
• Memory or thinking problems that would make it hard to participate (such as dementia)