- Cancer pain can almost always be relieved.
- You have a right to pain relief, and you should insist on it.
There are many different medicines and methods available to control cancer pain. If you are in pain and your doctor suggests no other options, ask to see a pain specialist or have your doctor consult with a pain specialist.
- Controlling your cancer pain is part of the overall treatment for cancer.
- Preventing pain from starting or getting worse is the best way to control it.
Pain is best relieved when treated early. Do not try to hold off as long as possible between doses. Pain may get worse if you wait, and it may take longer, or require larger doses of medicine to give you relief.
- Telling the doctor or nurse about pain is not a sign of weakness.
Not everyone feels pain in the same way. In fact, as soon as you have any pain you should speak up. Remember that it is easier to control pain when it just starts rather than waiting until after it becomes severe.
- People who take cancer pain medicines, as prescribed by the doctor, need not fear addiction. Your body does not become immune to pain medicine. Stronger medicines should not be saved for later.
- Most people do not get "high" or lose control when they take cancer pain medicines as prescribed by the doctor.
- Side effects from medicines can be managed or often prevented.
Having cancer does not always mean having pain. For those with pain, there are many different kinds of medicines, ways to receive the medicine, and non-medicinal methods that can relieve the pain you may have. You should not accept pain as a normal part of having cancer. When you are free of pain, you can sleep and eat better, enjoy the company of family and friends and continue with your work and hobbies.
Para solicitar información en español, llame al 1-800-ACS-2345. Un especialista en información sobre el cáncer le asistirá en español.
Fall/Winter 2001 updated 9/904
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