The ASCENT program aims to help rural and Latinx patients manage their cancer-associated pain. This blog is an educational resource for patients and their families to learn more about different pain management techniques. Many of these techniques will be discussed in conversations with ASCENT team members, but we encourage patients to explore the resources on this page to maximize the pain relief gained from participation in this study.

Public blog

Welcome to the Mayo Clinic ASCENT Program

The Achieving Equity through SocioCulturally-informed, Digitally-Enabled Cancer Pain managemeNT (ASCENT) clinical trial will test whether a novel digitally enabled, collaborative approach to team-based pain management can improve clinical outcomes and reduce longstanding and devastating disparities among rural dwellings and Hispanic/Latinx cancer survivors. 

To do so, we will leverage a number of approaches to pain management. Team members will help you explore both medication and non-medication approaches to reducing your pain. We will look at your environment and help you develop a manageable yet ambitious plan to reduce your pain.

 

ASCENT Program Team

ASCENT has a dedicated team to help you manage pain.  These members may include, but not be limited to: Physicians, Social Workers, Study Coordinators, Pain Care Managers (PCMs), Community Health Workers (CHWs) and other support staff. The ASCENT study team will work collaboratively with the participants Oncology Care Team, Social Work, Physical Therapy and other applicable areas to address patient needs.

All participants will be assigned a Pain Care Manager (PCM) and a Community Health Worker (CHW) to assist with supporting any Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) barriers that may include the patient's cultural, IT access, and social needs.  PCMs and CHWs will assist with problem-solving, setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely) goals, and communicating on your behalf within the Care Management Conferences.

  • Community health workers can usually live in your area and can help with navigating access, barriers and IT needs.
  • Pain care managers are specialists in managing pain who can help connect you with pain specialists.

Care Manager Conferences will take place regularly during this pilot to ensure that specific participant situations that require a collaborative approach can be addressed in a timely manner. This is a best-practice approach that is done in clinical practices across the enterprise.

 

Creating a Customized Plan

There are many options available for pain management related to cancer.  Our team of experts will help determine what option(s) is best for you.  The ASCENT program offer solutions that have been shown through research to support success. These include:

  • Medications
  • Physical Activity and Exercise
  • Behavioral/CBT Strategies
  • Integrative therapies
  • Non-surgical/Surgical Procedures
  • Palliative Medicine

More details on each of these options are available on this page. Your PCW and CHW will work with you to explore these options in more detail and create an individualized plan that is best for you.