A new study out of Europe points to a disturbing problem among individuals with cancer: Under-treatment of cancer-related pain. Researchers conducted surveys in 11 countries across Europe plus Israel. They surveyed 5,049 people with cancer who reported having some pain at least once a week and discovered that:
- 67% of patients reported that pain was "distressing"
- 56% suffered moderate-to-severe pain at least monthly
- 69% reported pain-related difficulties with everyday activities
- 50% felt that their quality of life was not a priority to their health care provider
- 12% felt that their provider did not understand that "pain is a problem"
While this research was not conducted in the United States, it is possible that similar problems may be occurring here as well. That's the bad news. The good news is that it doesn't have to be this way.
With proper attention to managing cancer-related pain, this unpleasant side effect of cancer care does not need to significantly affect your quality of life. What should you do if you have pain from your cancer or its treatment?
- Don't suffer in silence. Your doctor can't help you if he or she doesn't know there is a problem. Tell your doctor about any pain you experience right away. If you can't reach your doctor, call your nurse instead. He or she can get word to the doctor that a different pain management approach is needed.
- Don't skip doses. If your doctor or nurse has given you a specific prescription for pain management, take your medication exactly as directed. Pain is much easier to prevent than to manage. If you skip doses or forget to take your medication, you are more likely to have pain than if you take all medications as prescribed.
- Ask questions. If there's something you don't understand about your cancer care, ask questions. Don't feel embarrassed about asking your health care provider to explain your medications to you a second time if needed. Your health care team understands that you are overwhelmed and have a lot to contend with at the moment. It's perfectly normal to need a repeat to keep it all straight.
- Write it down. Take notes about each of your medications and how you are supposed to take them. Often times, the instructions on the medicine bottle are abbreviated and presented in "doctor-speak". Don't rely on the bottle alone to know your medication doses and schedules.
- Seek alternatives. If you are taking a medication for pain management and it gives you side effects that are as unpleasant as, or even worse than, the pain, talk to your doctor about this. There a dozens of options for properly managing pain. Remember that what works for one person may not be right for another. You can change from a pill to a patch or from one medication to another. Just don't accept that unrelenting pain is a normal part of cancer treatment. Ask for the help you need.
- Take a reality-check about addiction. Many people fear that if they take any pain medication at all, they will end up addicted to it. If this is a concern, talk to your doctor about it. Learn how people are taken off pain medication when they no longer need it. As well, know that many years of research has shown that when people truly have pain, the brain reacts differently to pain medication, making addiction unlikely. If you have a history of substance abuse or addiction, tell your doctor. There's no shame in being honest and your doctor can give better care knowing your full medical history.
Ultimately, getting your pain managed properly rests with you. Being proactive about your cancer care, or asking a loved one to help you by calling the doctor to discuss your unmanaged pain will get you what you need: Relief! Be sure to speak up, ask questions, and above all else, don't suffer your pain in silence.
