Articles
Cancer pain: Relief is possible
When should you discuss cancer pain with your doctor, and what points should you bring up?
What are the side effects of cancer pain treatment, and what can you do about them?
Content
What causes cancer pain?
How do you treat cancer pain?
What are some reasons for not receiving adequate treatment for cancer pain?
How can you help your doctor understand your cancer pain?
What steps can you take to ensure you're receiving adequate cancer pain treatment?
How can you help your doctor understand your cancer pain?
If the pain interferes with your life or is persistent, report it. It might help to keep track of your pain by jotting down:
- How severe the pain is
- What type of pain (stabbing, dull, achy) you have
- Where you feel the pain
- What brings on the pain
- What makes the pain worse or better
- What pain relief measures you use, such as medication, massage, and hot or cold packs, how they help and any side effects they cause
Using a pain-rating scale from 0 to 10 — with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable — might help you to report your pain to your doctor.
