Managing Pain

Possible Causes of Pain

Cancer patients may have pain for a variety of reasons. It may be due to the effects of the cancer itself, or it could result from treatment methods. Not all people with cancer have pain, and those who do are not in pain all the time. Cancer pain may depend on the type of cancer, the stage (extent) of the disease, and a patient’s pain threshold (or tolerance for pain).

Cancer pain that lasts a few days or longer may result from:

• The tumor causing pressure on organs, nerves or bone.
• Poor blood circulation because the cancer has blocked blood vessels.
• Blockage of an organ or tube in the body.
• Metastasis – cancer cells that have spread to other sites in the body.
• Infection or inflammation.
• Side effects from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery.
• Stiffness from inactivity.
• Psychological responses to illness such as tension, depression or anxiety.

 Whatever the cause, pain can be relieved.

How to Talk About Pain

• Cancer patients need to be active health care consumers and their own advocates for pain control. They are partners with the physician and nurse … part of the team effort that will develop a plan for pain relief.
• Cancer patients should be persistent and remember they have a right to adequate pain relief.
• They should try to be as clear as possible when communicating to their doctor or nurse about pain. Be specific about the location of the pain; use a numeric scale to communicate the level or intensity of the pain. Use a scale of 0 to 10 where zero is no pain and 10 is the worst pain you can imagine (excruciating).
• Cancer patients should describe the pain in words. (How does it feel? Is it constant? Does it come and go? What makes the pain better? What makes the pain worse? Does the pain hamper sleep?)

 Ways to Help Cope with Pain

• Take the pain medication as directed by the doctor. If they don’t work, go back to the doctor and tell him/her.
• Get enough rest, space out activities.
• Use heat or cold applications.
• Use relaxation therapy.
• Distractions, e.g. TV, movies.
• Guided imagery or visualization.
• Physical Therapy.

Fears About Pain Treatment

One fear cancer patients and families may have about pain control is about becoming “addicted” to the medications prescribed to treat pain. This fear often prevents people from using enough of their pain medications to get good pain relief. Do not be afraid of becoming addicted. Addiction occurs through the use of drugs in the absence of pain.

Cancer patients should be aware that they may experience one or more side effects from the medication used to relieve pain. Some of them are:

• Nausea/Vomiting
• Constipation – stool softeners will be ordered by the physician.

• Sleepiness
• Inability to think clearly
• Constipation lasting more than three days.