A Collaborative Intervention For Improving Cancer Pain Management In Rural And Hispanic Cancer Survivors (ASCENT)

Overview

About this study

This clinical trial tests a collaborative pain management intervention (ASCENT) for improving cancer pain in rural and Hispanic cancer survivors. Cancer pain is prevalent, under-treated, and remains a major cause of suffering, impairment, and disability for millions of Americans. Individual pain interventions and care models show promise for cancer pain in controlled settings. Hispanic and rural-dwelling cancer survivors stand to benefit the most from electronic health record innovations, as each of these health disparities populations experience profound disparities in pain outcomes, including marked under- and over-prescribing of opioids. Digitally facilitated solutions are especially well matched for these patients, and can be customized to address their needs. The ASCENT intervention provides patients with an educational guide that describes techniques for addressing cancer pain, and uses community health workers and pain care managers to coach patients through a personalized pain management plan. This study may help researchers learn how pain management strategies can improve cancer pain and lower risk of opioid exposure and dependency in rural and Hispanic cancer survivors.

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Inclusion Criteria:

* A qualifying liquid or solid cancer diagnosis with visits at a participating Mayo site in the past 15 years

* Including malignant hematology

* Lymphoma
* Myeloma
* Chronic leukemias
* Age \>= 18
* Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain score of \>= 5/10
* Pain that developed or worsened following cancer diagnosis
* Fit the description of either rural or Hispanic or both

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient Health Questionnaire - 8 (PHQ8) score of \>= 13
* Hospice enrollment
* Skilled nursing facility, inpatient rehabilitation facility, or long-term care placement
* Encounters with Palliative Care or the Pain Clinic in the past two months or upcoming two months
* Any mention of hospice referral in medical oncology encounter notes (assess through textual search of the Mayo Data Explorer)
* Affirmative response to, "Are you usually confined to a bed or chair more than a third of your waking hours because of your health?"
* Currently homeless
* Do not feel safe in their home
* New or worsening chest pain, chest tightness, or chest pressure
* Back pain that is associated with a new or worsening weakness, control of bowels/bladder, or difficulty walking
* Lightheadedness, inability to keep down food or fluids, or vomiting blood or dark coffee-grounds-like material
* New or worsening headaches that are associated with vision changes, nausea, balance issues, or problems with speech
* Screens positive for use of non-cannabis drug use a a frequency of monthly or greater
* Inability to engage with the intervention due to medical or psychological reasonse

Note: Other protocol defined Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria may apply.

Eligibility last updated 11/26/2025. Questions regarding updates should be directed to the study team contact.

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

Study statuses change often. Please contact the study team for the most up-to-date information regarding possible participation.

Mayo Clinic Location Status Contact

Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Jessica Austin, Ph.D.

Open for enrollment

Contact information:

Cancer Center Clinical Trials Referral Office

(855) 776-0015

Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Andrea Cheville, M.D.

Open for enrollment

Contact information:

Cancer Center Clinical Trials Referral Office

(855) 776-0015

More information

Publications

Publications are currently not available

Additional contact information

Cancer-related trials contact form

Phone: 855-776-0015 (toll-free)

International patient clinical studies questions