PATIENT SKILLS FOR CANCER PAIN CONTROL IN PATIENTS WITH METASTATIC BREAST OR PROSTATE CANCER

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the feasibility of implementing an outpatient education and behavioral skills training program for pain control in a multi-institution setting. Evaluate whether patient education and behavioral skills training improve cancer pain control in patients with recurrent or metastatic breast or prostate cancer. Amend the protocol, with the approval of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, to a groupwide 3-arm study if analysis demonstrates feasibility and potential efficacy of the patient education and behavioral skills training program. OUTLINE: This is a randomized study. Patients are stratified according to diagnosis (breast vs prostate cancer), initial "pain worst" score (4-6 vs 7 or higher), and participating institution. Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms. Arm I: Patients receive standard pain management. Arm II: Patients receive educational intervention (booklets, audiotapes, and videotapes) and behavioral skills training (including a schedule of practice relaxation sessions) in addition to standard pain management. Patients receive a follow-up phone call within 48-72 hours of intervention to review pain status. Patients on both arms undergo pain and psychological assessments on days 1 and 15. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 96 patients (48 per arm) will be accrued for this study.