How state opioid policies affect pain treatment for people with cancer
Opioid Treatment of Pain in People with Cancer: Intended and unintended consequences of state policies addressing opioid prescribing
This project finds out how state rules about opioid prescribing change pain medicines and outcomes for adults with cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11158671 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks across U.S. states to see how two common policies — mandatory checking of prescription monitoring databases and limits on opioid duration/dose for acute pain — change opioid prescribing for people with cancer. Researchers will compare groups such as people with advanced disease, patients on active curative treatment, and long-term cancer survivors to see who is most affected. They will use large health and prescription data sources and medical records to track changes in pain treatment, opioid use, and related harms over time. The goal is to clarify whether policies meant to curb unsafe opioid use are also making it harder for some cancer patients to get needed pain relief.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with cancer who are experiencing pain — including those on active treatment, people with advanced disease, and long-term survivors — are the groups this work focuses on.
Not a fit: People without cancer, children, or patients who are not using or considered for opioid pain treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help shape state policies so people with cancer get safer, clearer, and more appropriate pain care.
How similar studies have performed: Previous policy studies have shown that PDMP mandates and prescribing limits change opioid prescribing in general populations, but their effects specifically for different groups of cancer patients are less well understood.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bao, Yuhua — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Bao, Yuhua
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.