Defined by pain expert Margo McCaffrey, MSN, RN, FAAN, pain is,
“whatever the experiencing person says it is, and exists whenever he
says it does.” This certainly holds true in the treatment of pain
associated with cancer. Approximately 30% to 50% of all people with
cancer will experience pain while undergoing treatment and 70% to 90% of
individuals with advanced cancer will have pain associated with the
disease.
The good news is that cancer pain is completely manageable with a
host of treatments that are readily available. The bad news is that
many cancer patients are often under treated for pain due to a variety
of common reasons.
Physicians treating cancer patients may focus solely on controlling
or treating the disease and the accompanying pain is left untreated.
Patients may minimize their pain symptoms or may think the pain is
“normal” and neglect to inform the physician of this symptom. In other
circumstances patients may fear becoming addicted to pain medications
and therefore refuse to take them. These reasons, while understandable,
are invalid and the current treatments available can help patients
manage their pain.
Each cancer patient will experience different levels and areas of
pain. There are three common types of pain associated with cancer.
Acute pain usually sets in quickly and lasts only brief amounts of time.
Chronic pain is consistent pain that sometimes worsens and lasts for
long periods of time. Breakthrough pain occurs in chronic pain
sufferers whose pain is normally controlled by medication. The plan for
managing this pain is different for each individual. The goal is to
provide the best pain relief while avoiding as many side effects as
possible.
First-line pain medications are those medicines that are readily
available over the counter or by a doctor’s prescription. First-line
pain medications are used to treat mild forms of pain associated with
cancer and include ibuprofen, aspirin and acetaminophen. These over the
counter medications are not usually habit forming and can reduce
inflammation in diseased tissue.
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