Dealing with cancer pain
Dealing with cancer pain
Whilst many with cancer can be pain free, pain can occur in a proportion. Discomfort or pain from cancer can be due to the disease itself or because of treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery1,2.
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If you experience any form of pain, it is important that you let your healthcare team know. This may be your family doctor, oncologist, surgeon, or your cancer care team. It is important that you tell someone about the pain you are experiencing and how this affects you and your ability to do day-to-day tasks.
Whilst many causes of pain can be addressed or treated with painkillers, when it becomes difficult to control, you may be referred to a pain management team. Pain management teams are specialist teams with experience in managing pain from a variety of conditions including cancer or cancer treatment2. But it is important to note that pain is experienced differently by everyone and the healthcare teams will manage your pain based on you as an individual.
Function
The aim of pain management is not only to improve your symptoms but also to ensure you can keep active and continue to do as many of the tasks that you do every day. You may have to adapt your routines, but it is important to stay as active as possible.
For acute pain as sometimes experienced after surgery and or due to cancer itself treatments we know that pain some pain medicines can be helpful. The aim of pain medicines is to minimise any pain or discomfort and help you to stay active and live your life as normally as possible.
With certain types of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, pain may be a side effect and you will be informed by your team about this. Pain from treatment may not happen to everyone and will vary in its intensity. Your cancer team will have experience in managing pain and may work alongside pain management teams that can support you when needed.
Key points
Pain can be a symptom of some cancers for some and can be expected with certain cancer treatments. It’s important to share any symptoms with your healthcare professionals so they can support you and ensure that you can maintain as much function as possible and stay active.
January 2023
Ms Christina Gullberg does not have any disclosures to report.
References
1 Makhlouf, S.M., Pini, S., Ahmed, S. et al. Managing Pain in People with Cancer—a Systematic Review of the Attitudes and Knowledge of Professionals, Patients, Caregivers and Public. J Canc Educ 35, 214–240 (2020).
2 Evenepoel M, Haenen V, De Baerdemaecker T, Meeus M, Devoogdt N, Dams L, Van Dijck S, Van der Gucht E, De Groef A. Pain Prevalence During Cancer Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2022 Mar;63(3):e317-e335. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.09.011. Epub 2021 Sep 24.