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Chronic Cancer PainChronic cancer pain is a very diverse experience and effects people in a lot of different ways. While cancer pain can be short-term or mild, for many people it's chronic and severe. The locations of pain are as variable as the disease itself. Because of the many different types of cancer pain, it is important that each person have a pain management plan that is tailored to their individual needs.Causes of Chronic Cancer PainWhile there can be multiple causes of cancer pain, they generally fall into two categories:Pain for the Cancer or Tumor - arises when the tumor presses against nerves, internal organs of bones. A tumor located in an area with a lot of nerve tissue can cause a lot more pain than one in a part of the body with less nerves tissue density. Obstruction of blood flow caused by a tumor may also cause pain.
Pain Caused by Treatments for Cancer - may people report pain from some component of the treatments of cancer. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy all have the potential to cause not only pain, but also a variety of other side effects. Here's more information on ways treatment can result in increased pain. Pain in people with cancer can also by caused by other illnesses and conditions not directly related to the cancer itself. While neck pain is usually caused by muscular-skeletal problems, there are cases in which it is cancer related.
Click here for an article on what other symptoms to look for in cases of Neck Pain and Cancer.
Assessing Chronic Cancer PainProper assessment of cancer pain is the critical first step in receiving good treatment. Pain assessment should be thorough and not just an afterthought. Remember this rule: the best tool for assessing chronic pain is your report.Your pain is not going to show up on an x-ray or MRI. If your doctor is going to know about your pain, it will be because you told him or her about it. So, Speak Up!
More details here on the assessing cancer pain.
Talking to Your Doctor About Cancer PainAs I talk about above, chronic pain is a subjective experience, so good communication with your healthcare provider about your pain is an important part of getting good treatment and the correct pain medication.The sooner you talk to your doctor about your pain the better. Pain can get more difficult to control as it gets more severe. Being stoic in the face of pain is not make you a stronger person, but accurate identification and reporting of your pain makes you a smarter one. Pain is a real experience for the majority of people with cancer, and you have a right to the best treatment available. Here is a checklist of items you may want to discuss with your healthcare providers: • Location of the pain, times when it hurts, and level of pain intensity; • What makes the pain worse and what makes it feel better. • How long your pain lasts, how quickly it comes on, and how often it occurs. • Anything you may be taking or doing to try to alleviate pain, and how well it's working; • The impact of pain in your life, including how it is effecting daily activity levels, sleep, and appetite. Your doctor should tell you what medication(s) she or he is recommending, and why. Think of your doctor as an "expert consultant" there to advise you. If your doctor has not given you the following information about any recommended pain medication, then make sure you ask. • What other medication options are available? What are the potential side effects of each medication? • Directions for taking the medication. You can avoid side effects with some medications by taking them properly. • Are there drug interactions with other drugs I am taking? • Suggest any non-drug methods to relieve pain, or to supplement the pain relief from medication? You can't always count on medical professionals to be aware of the full range of non-drug or alternate therapies for pain control. For more on alternative methods of managing chronic pain, check the Pain Alternatives page, or this specific information on alternative treatments of chronic cancer pain. Acupuncture for Cancer PainAcupuncture is a technique from tradition Chinese medicine. It is generally discussed on the Acupunture for Chronic Pain Page.In Asia, acupuncture has long been seen as a key treatment for many disorders. It has gained some acceptance in Western countries for chronic pain, but there is evidence that it can specifically help you if you have cancer pain, as well as other symptoms related to cancer and cancer treatment.
Click here for more specific information on Acupuncture for Cancer Pain.
Problems in Chronic Cancer Pain TreatmentDespite the fact that there are medications available that will greatly help in management of chronic cancer pain, studies have shown that pain is still under-treated. The reasons for that include;*Lack of physician training in pain management; *Unfounded concern (by both patients and doctors) about addiction to pain medication; *Reluctance of some people with pain to talk openly with their doctor. Psychological Components of Cancer PainAs I've talked about elsewhere on this site, fear and anxiety are closely related to the sensation of pain. Fear contributes greatly to the perception of pain severity. When the pain in question is from a disease like cancer, which so many of us find frightening, there's a strong chance it's making our pain worse.For many people, pain is a signal that their cancer is getting worse, and this in turn generates more fear leading to increased tension and pain. More here on the relationship between cancer pain, depression and stress. What You Have a Right to ExpectYou should expect to have your cancer pain treatment options clearly explained to you.You should expect the pro's and con's of each alternative to be clearly explained. You should expect that your doctor has a plan for any breakthrough pain or pain flare-ups. The nature of today's knowledge is such that no one should have to suffer with unrelieved cancer pain.
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