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Cancer Pain
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So much focus is placed on stopping the spread of and ultimately eradicating the disease that the pain often becomes an accepted side-effect from first diagnosis.
Treatment, however, should be a primary consideration with every diagnosis.
Cancer pain may be short-lived or long-lasting, mild or severe, or affect one or a few organs, bones, or organ systems.
Causes include:
Tumor Pain
The pain often originates when a tumor comes into contact with bone, nerves or body organs and is not always directly related to tumor size. A small tumor located near the spinal cord, for example, may be very painful, while a larger tumor elsewhere may be relatively painless.
Therapy-Related Cancer Pain
Treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery - while necessary to attack the disease - can also leave the patient in significant pain. Post-operative pain is acute (i.e., short-term), and a direct result of surgery. Relieving post-op pain helps people recuperate from surgery more quickly and heal more effectively.
Side-Effects
Patients can be susceptible to indirect pain (i.e., pain not caused directly by the illness or treatment). Headaches, muscle strains, and similar aches due to stress and lack of mobility can also be treated to improve the patient's overall quality of life and aid the recovery process.
What Can Be Done to Control The Pain?
Only you know exactly where your pain is, how much it hurts, how long it's been hurting and what, if anything, makes it feel better.
The first step in controlling pain is to tell your doctor(s), in detail, about your suffering.
Patients sometimes don’t receive aggressive pain treatment because they don’t let their care team know about their pain.
Patients may not want to complain, may be concerned about pain medication addiction or side effects, or may want to save pain treatment options until they're "really needed". Such hesitancy to be blatantly honest with your caregiver(s) hinders pain treatment and as well as the therapy itself.
There is more to pain than discomfort.
Pain can keep you from being active, from sleeping and eating, and from being fully prepared to get well. Left untreated, pain may inhibit full participation in rehabilitation programs and slow recovery. Pain can be a primary contributor to psychological problems as well such as ongoing anxiety, fear, and even depression, all of which slow the healing process.
The Good New Is...
Most cancer pain is treatable and getting help for pain early on can make your overall treatment more effective and more tolerable.
We Can Help
The physicians at the Northwest Surgical Specialists Pain Management Center are experts at delivering soothing pain medication exactly where it will result in maximum relief.
If you or a loved one is suffering from chronic pain, contact the Pain Management Center at 847.885.9525 to arrange a consultation.
3100 W. Higgins Rd., Ste. 150
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
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Foot & Ankle Care
Pain Management
Physical Therapy
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Surgical Care Center
431 Summit Street, Suite 102
Elgin, IL 60120
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Foot & Ankle Care
Physical Therapy