U of M Study Finds Women, Minority Cancer Patients More Likely to Suffer with Pain ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) -

Women and minority cancer patients are more likely to suffer intense and frequent pain than white men. That's according to new University of Michigan research.

Carmen Green is the director of Pain Medicine Research at the U of M Department of Anesthesiology and Health Management and Policy. She says it's unclear why there is the disparity in pain management.

"Certainly there may be differences in how patients may describe their pain or their willingness to complain about pain. Their expectations about the health care system," says Green, "All those things may come into play."

Green says it's important for patients to realize they don't have to live with pain. © Copyright 2012, Michigan Radio