Chronic pain that cancer patients deal with can be caused by several reasons. It can be due to symptoms that are related to the disease or from its treatments. Understanding these causes can help find cancer pain management strategies. This way, cancer patients can live more comfortably.
Causes of Cancer Pain
Pain related to cancer may be caused by several reasons. Knowing the cause of your pain can help you find the right way to manage it. Take a look at the common causes of cancer pain:
- Bone Pain. Some cancers metastasize to bones. This destroys and puts pressure on the bones which causes pain.
- Neuropathic Pain. As cancer tumors or treatments affect the nerves, it causes damage that leads to pain.
- Treatment-related Pain. Cancer treatments may cause pain. This includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and surgery. The side effects of these treatments can cause pain.
- Tumor-related Pain. Tumors get big and as they grow, they can exert pressure. This puts stress on the nerves, bones, or organs. This may be the reason for localized referred pain.
Cancer Pain Management Tips
People with cancer have different ways of dealing with the pain that comes with it. Understanding what causes cancer pain will make it easier to find the right treatment and management plans.
- Regular Pain Assessment. To ensure that the patient receives proper medication and pain management plans, a thorough assessment regularly is needed. This helps healthcare providers find the right personalized pain management plan.
- Medications. Your doctor will prescribe a variety of medications to help you deal with cancer pain. You might need analgesics and adjuvant medications, just to name a few, for pain management.
- Complementary Therapy. As part of an effective pain management strategy, your doctor may also recommend complementary therapies. The non-pharmacological therapies that are highly recommended for cancer pain are acupuncture, massage, and physical therapies, as well as different relaxation techniques.
Regular Follow-up and Adjustment is a Must
Pain management will only be effective with regular follow-up with your doctor. Regular assessments are needed. Make sure to visit your doctor at every follow-up appointment. This way, they can monitor your progress and see if adjustments to your pain management plan are needed.
Effective cancer pain management is only effective when the underlying causes of pain are understood. This can help determine the right treatment plan for pain. Make sure to work closely with your healthcare provider. Patients can achieve better pain control if they know how to deal with it right from the start.