NIH-funded research R21 grant

Conquering Pain Together: A Family-Based Pain Support for Appalachian Breast Cancer Patients on AET

Official title: Conquering Pain Together: Family-Based Pain Intervention for Appalachian Breast Cancer Patients Taking AETs

Funded at University of Tennessee Knoxville · NIH-11451686 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A family-centered program tests a supportive, culturally tailored approach to reduce pain for breast cancer patients on endocrine therapy in Appalachia.

More Breast Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Tennessee Knoxville
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Knoxville, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2026
Project endAugust 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$475,375
NIH project number1R21CA309056-01A1
Project IDNIH-11451686 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Breast cancer patients on adjuvant endocrine therapy in the Appalachian region and their participating caregivers.

Less likely to help

Patients not on AET or not residing in Appalachia may not directly benefit.

What this research studies

This project aims to help Appalachian breast cancer patients who experience pain while taking adjuvant endocrine therapy by engaging a patient and caregiver dyad in non-drug pain management strategies. It uses community-informed methods to adapt a dyadic intervention that taps into family and faith networks, with flexible delivery and connections to local resources. The study will gather input from patients, caregivers, and health professionals to tailor the CPT program to the region’s culture before testing its feasibility. By focusing on relationship support and psychological well-being, the project seeks to reduce pain-related interference with treatment and daily life.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience less pain and better adherence to therapy, potentially improving survival outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: Prior work indicates dyadic, culturally tailored approaches can influence pain and coping in cancer care, with room for improvement in rural settings.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Tennessee Knoxville
    Knoxville, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Roberson, Patricia N. E. — University of Tennessee Knoxville
  • Study coordinator: Roberson, Patricia N. E.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.