Blog Post
Color Cancer Connect: A peer-led, skills-focused support program for cancer survivors
Color
Presented at ASCO on October 11, 2025
Key takeaway: Intervention with an 8-week virtual peer-led, skills-based program can improve anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with cancer.
Study motivation
By 2030, more than 21 million Americans will be living as cancer survivors. While survivorship brings relief, it also introduces new challenges, including high rates of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Research has shown that supportive peer relationships and psychoeducation can improve wellbeing, yet few programs successfully combine both in an accessible, scalable model.
Color Health developed Cancer Connect to fill that gap. The program provides a structured, virtual, peer-led space where cancer survivors can learn evidence-based coping skills while connecting with others who share their experiences.
Methodology
Color researchers conducted an IRB-approved, randomized pilot study to evaluate the impact of Color Cancer Connect, delivered through Color’s Virtual Cancer Clinic and registered under NCT06353178.
Participants self-identifying as cancer survivors (n=25) were randomized to either:
- Begin the 8-week Cancer Connect program immediately (intervention group, n=12), or
- Join the 8-week Cancer Connect program after a 3-month delay (waitlist group, n=13).
Each weekly, 1-hour session focused on a different evidence-based topic such as self-compassion, managing emotions, problem-solving, and finding meaning in life.
Peer facilitators were trained and supervised by a licensed psychologist, with safety protocols in place for mental health escalations.
Psychological outcomes were measured at baseline and at 3 months using:
- PHQ-8 for depression
- GAD-7 for anxiety
- Three-Item Loneliness Scale for social connectedness
Between-group differences were analyzed using two-sample t-tests.
What we found
Participants in the intervention group reported a 36% reduction in anxiety symptoms, which was significantly greater than the waitlist group (p = 0.049). Two-thirds (67%) achieved a clinically meaningful improvement in anxiety scores.
Depressive symptoms also decreased by 36%, and loneliness dropped by 10%, though these changes were not statistically significant.
Feedback showed strong engagement and satisfaction:
- 82% of participants said they would recommend the program
- Average usefulness rating: 4.45/5
- Average “Very Good” rating: 4.0/5
These findings suggest that a structured, peer-led approach can make a measurable difference in mental health outcomes for cancer survivors.
Implications
Color Cancer Connect demonstrates that virtual, skills-based peer support is both feasible and effective in improving psychosocial outcomes for cancer survivors. As part of Color’s nationwide Virtual Cancer Clinic, which provides speed, access and direct clinical care, the Cancer Connect program offers a scalable model to address unmet survivorship needs and improves mental health outcomes through connection and skill building.
Further research is underway to validate results across diverse survivor populations.
