Pain Management of Cancer Survivors

Levy, M. H., Chwistek, M., & Mehta, R. S. (2008). Management of chronic pain in cancer survivors.  The Cancer Journal ,  14 (6), 401-409. 

This source discusses the cancer survivors who display no sign of the disease but are undergoing chronic pain. The article relates to cancer survivors' pain management and discusses the assessment procedures of pain and managing cancer survivors' pain. In cancer, pain results from the residual damage on the tissue and the cancer therapy. Recurring cancer problems include chronic, nociceptive, neuropathic, and acute pains. These issues are usually undertreated, underdiagnosed, and underreported. Knowledge about cancer pain syndromes is essential in identifying the cause of pain and determining the best treatment. The journal identifies age, race, ethnicity, spiritual and emotional distress as important pain perception, management, and assessment barriers. For instance, older patients are challenging to assess as they are affected by obstacles like memory loss and confusion. Also, the knowledge about pain management by a clinician is an essential treatment for cancer pain. In cases of uncontrolled and severe pains, backup medical treatment is sorted. According to Levy et al. (2008), cancer pain result from surgery, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, steroids, and stem cell transplant. The assessment helps determine the source of pain and the treatment and the relationship between the pain or the treatment. The interdisciplinary plans the pain management strategies usually through nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies. Also, the proper use of opioids can help treat chronic pain in patients. Thorough assessment, which involves asking questions and carefully listening to your patient, builds the groundwork for a pain management plan among the survivors. Cancer survivors should live pain-free lives; thus, pain management is necessary to them. The necessity to manage the pain should be integrated into inclusive cancer care to enjoy their survival . The primary treatment to manage pain is the secondary neuropathies to surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Reference

Levy, M. H., Chwistek, M., & Mehta, R. S. (2008). Management of chronic pain in cancer survivors.  The Cancer Journal ,  14 (6), 401-409.