Cancer Pain

Overview

Can cancer pain be controlled?

Cancer pain can be controlled in almost every case. This doesn't mean that you have no pain. It means that the pain stays at a level that you can bear. The key to pain control is telling your doctor what your pain feels like and what relieves it for you.

How is it treated?

Pain control often starts with medicine. Both prescription and over-the-counter medicines may be used. Your doctor may suggest different drugs, different combinations, or different doses as your pain changes.

A doctor may use treatments such as radiation or surgery. These treatments can remove, destroy, or shrink a tumor that causes pain. For nerve pain, a doctor may give a shot of numbing medicine near the nerve. Or sometimes medicine is put directly into the spine.

Some people use other treatments along with medical treatments. These include:

How can a pain control diary help you and your doctor?

Your doctor needs to understand your pain to treat it effectively. You can help by telling your doctor where you feel pain, what your pain feels like, and what makes it better or worse. It often helps to write everything down. Some people use a pain diary for this.

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Information about Cancer Pain

Current as of: October 25, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

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