A new study, led by Wayne State University's College of Nursing and funded by a three-year, $1,078,000 award from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, aims to improve the care of African Americans with cancer pain. Prior research done by April Vallerand, associate professor of nursing at Wayne State University, showed that African American cancer patients experience higher pain levels, resulting from a lower feeling of control over pain and a need for help with pain management. "Patients and caregivers are typically unprepared to manage cancer pain, so including both in teaching and coaching is essential to assure pain control," said Vallerand. "Our previous study was a one-time intervention that included medication management and pain advocacy information, and we are now expanding to a five-week program called Power Over Pain - Coaching or POP-C. We have also added a new element called Living with Pain that will help patients and families do more of the things they want and need to do in spite of serious illness."

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/04/11/wayne-state-gets-1m-grant-to-reduce-cancer-pain-in-african-americans/
http://content.usatoday.com/topics/article/Organizations/Government+Bodies/National+Institutes+of+Health/0d4J68i8Po4q6/1
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20110412/New-study-aims-to-improve-care-of-African-Americans-with-cancer-pain.aspx
http://www.firstscience.com/home/news/cancer/wayne-state-leads-study-to-improve-management-of-cancer-pain-in-african-americans_103637.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/222109.php