Cancer Pain
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.
AMBULATORY CARE:
What you need to know about cancer pain:
Pain may be caused by cancer, treatment for cancer, or a procedure to diagnose cancer. A tumor or another condition caused by cancer may also cause pain. Your pain may get better after you finish treatment or if your cancer is in remission. Proper control of pain that continues can help improve your quality of life.
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) or have someone call if:
- You are breathing slower than usual, or you have trouble breathing.
- You have trouble staying awake, or you lose consciousness.
- You take too much pain medicine by mistake.
- You have a seizure.
Seek care immediately if:
- You have a fever.
- Your pain gets worse, even after you take medicine.
- You have new symptoms, such as numbness or tingling.
Call your doctor if:
- You have side effects from your pain medicine, such as itching, nausea, or vomiting.
- Your pain causes trouble sleeping.
- You do not think your medicine is working.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Treatment
depends on the cause, type, and severity of your pain. Talk to your provider about pain control before, during, and after certain tests, procedures, or treatments. You may need any of the following:
- Medicines:
- Acetaminophen or NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen, may help decrease pain and inflammation. Talk to your provider before you take these medicines if you are getting chemotherapy (chemo). Acetaminophen increases the risk for liver damage and NSAIDs increase the risk for kidney damage. Chemo can increase the risk for these problems even more. Your provider may recommend you wait to use these medicines until after you complete chemo.
- Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask your healthcare provider how to take this medicine safely. Some prescription pain medicines contain acetaminophen. Do not take other medicines that contain acetaminophen without talking to your healthcare provider. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage. Prescription pain medicine may cause constipation. Ask your healthcare provider how to prevent or treat constipation.
- Local anesthetics can be rubbed on your skin or injected into a nerve or muscle to numb an area.
- Other medicines may be given to decrease pain, inflammation, or muscle spasms.
- Procedures may be done to block nerve or pain signals.
- Surgery may be needed if other treatments do not work.
Other ways cancer pain may be treated:
- Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) teaches you ways to cope with your pain.
- Acupuncture uses very thin needles to balance energy channels in the body. This is thought to help reduce pain and other symptoms.
- Massage therapy or acupressure may help relax tight muscles and decrease pain.
- A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit uses mild, safe electrical signals to help control pain. The device is placed over the area of pain and attaches to your skin.
- Radiation therapy may be used to decrease bone pain.
Use prescription pain medicine safely:
- Take your medicine as directed. Take only the amount prescribed or recommended by your provider. Do not take more medicine if you have breakthrough pain. Too much medicine may cause breathing problems or other health issues. Tell your provider if your medicine does not control your pain.
- Do not mix prescription pain medicines. This can cause an overdose of medicine, which can become life-threatening. Read the medicine labels. Make sure you know the ingredients in all your medicines.
- Store prescription pain medicine in a safe place at home. Keep your medicine away from children and other people. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Ways to help manage your pain:
- Apply heat or ice to the area. Heat helps decrease muscle spasms. Ice helps decrease inflammation. Your healthcare provider may recommend only heat or ice, or you may be told to alternate. For heat, use a heat pack, heating pad, or a warm washcloth. Apply heat for 20 to 30 minutes every 2 hours for as many days as directed. For ice, use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover the ice pack with a towel before you place it on your skin. Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed.
- Be physically active, as directed. Physical activity such as exercise can help decrease pain and improve your body function. Ask your healthcare provider about the best exercise plan for you.
- Practice mindfulness or relaxation techniques. Yoga, meditation, or deep breathing can help you relax and distract you from thinking about your pain.
- Join a support group. It may be helpful for you to talk with others who have similar conditions. Tell your healthcare provider, family, or friends about your feelings. Your provider can give you resources to help you cope.
Follow up with your doctor as directed:
You may be referred to a pain specialist. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
© Copyright Merative 2024 Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
