Cancer pain affects 1 out of 3 cancer patients undergoing cancer treatments. Cancer pain can come from the source of cancer its self or from the surrounding areas, such as surrounding tissues, nerves or organs the tumor may be pressing against. Cancer pain may also stem from certain treatment procedures, such as chemotherapy, radiation or surgery.
Even though they may cause certain pains, the best way to treat cancer pains is to get rid of the cancer all together by chemotherapy, radiation or surgery. Over-the-counter medications and certain opioids are also common treatments for pain caused by cancer.
Other treatments that are not as common are nerve blocks. Nerve blocks are anesthetics that are injected into or around the nerve to prevent the messages of pain from reaching the brain. A few other uncommon treatments include but are not limited to:
- Acupuncture
- Acupressure
- Massage
- Physical therapy
- Relaxation
- Meditation
- Humor
It is important to speak up about cancer pain because your doctor can help control the pain with medication or other treatments. Talking about the pain is important as it gives your doctor feedback they need to help you feel better. Using a 0 -10 pain scale will help the doctor gage the severity of the pain. According to the Mayo Clinic, fear of addiction and fear of side effects are two common reasons why people are reluctant to speak up about their pain.
FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital’s FirstHealth Cancer Services should be the treatment center of choice for patients in all stages of cancer. Located in Pinehurst, NC, we are convenient to Sanford, Raeford, Laurinburg, Lumberton, Troy and Rockingham regions of North Carolina. For more information on the cancer services we offer, call (910) 715-3500, or click here to contact us.
