Cancer Pain: Assessment, Management, and Patient Empowerment
Cancer pain occurs in the advanced stages of the disease when the tumor spreads to adjacent tissues and organs. Despite the modern medical progress, pain associated with cancer is experienced by 59% of patients in active treatment, 33% of survivors after treatment, and 64% of patients with a metastatic, progressive or terminal illness. The issue of adequate anesthesia remains important in oncology because cancer pain not only signifies the progression of the disease but also lowers the life quality of the patients and their relatives. To relieve cancer pain in clinical oncology, doctors use the safe and effective injection of opioids, which reduces pain intensity and improves the cancer patient’s general condition. However, numerous studies and researches show that cancer pain assessment and management have many problems. An educational program to increase understanding of the causes and types of cancer pain, enhanced communication between nurses and patients, and patients’ empowerment will help to overcome gaps in cancer pain management.
Cancer Pain in Adults
Cancer pain causes a painful feeling that passes through the body, mind, and spirit and affects a person’s social interaction, which lowers the quality of life of the patient and his/her family. According to Arnstein, 8 million people suffer from cancer pain worldwide, and 14 million new cases of the disease are diagnosed yearly. The researcher summarizes a recent study on the biological mechanisms, psychological impact and evidence-based approaches to pain management in adults. The author aims to inform nurses about the best practices they can use to prevent suffering caused by cancer pain. Bowlt et al. state that uncontrolled pain is one of adult cancer patients’ most awesome and debilitating cancer symptoms. Pain associated with cancer is common during the entire illness and even after treatment. About 20% of chronic and acute pain cases in cancer patients are associated with the adverse effects of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. People with cancer should not live or die with cancer pain due to the harmful effects they have had for a long time, affecting their quality of life.
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