Pa in Te au a ie ph ie 1 = lak e 2 next mx! po hopu ippear (on tr: eat ice DAghepre] Bedneday vnd the lat ademape veh sae 2 and eh ts an the viewing Is case the soled & ame HOM anor ke pla e mx! 300 in vonal in the Cancer Sufferers Can Get Adequate Treatment For Pain (NAPSA)—An estimated 70 percent of cancer patients experi- ence significant pain during their illness, yet fewer than half receive adequate treatmentfor their pain. Whenleft untreated, pain impairs a patient’s quality of life and the family’s ability to cope. A survey commissioned by Partners Against Pain found that the majority of sufferers (67 percent) say they experience some changesin their lives due to pain. The most frequently cited areas include quality of life (34 percent) @ mean that additional pain medication that works quickly for short periods of time should be added to the patient’s pain management program. Treatment Options Pain control options vary based on the method usedto treat the cancer and the intensity of pain. Non- drug approachessuch asrelaxation, meditation, massage, heat or ice packs and exercise may be used to supplement pain medication. For mild or low level pain, aceta- and inability to work (23 percent). These patients are more likely than patients suffering from other minophen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen may be recommended. Most people are their ability to feed themselves. ment of mild or low level pain. Higher dose NSAIDs, however, are diseases to say pain affects their appetite, ability to socialize, their independence and, for a few, even According to the American Cancer Society, many patients do not ask for or get the help they need for pain relief because they have com- mon misperceptions regarding pain management. Five reasons patients do not seek painrelief: 1. Fear of addiction. 2. Fear of side effects from pain medications. 3. Believe pain is an inevitable familiar with medications pur- chased over-the-counter for treatavailable only with a prescription andare used to treat mild to moderate pain. NSAIDs and acetamin- ophen, used alone, have a limit to their pain relieving effect, so taking a higher dose than specified is not advised. For moderate to severe pain, patients may require a prescrip- tion pain medication that can 4. Believe they should be able to tolerate the pain. include opioid analgesics, along with NSAIDs, Cox-2 inhibitors, low dose anti-depressants and acute epileptic agents. Opioids are pain it meanstheir canceris getting worse. Types of Pain severe pain and may be adjusted to provide patients with the level consequenceof cancer. 5. Believe if they experience Cancer patients may experience chronic pain, which can be continuous and present most of the time or intermittent pain, pain that comes andgoes. In addition, many patients with chronic pain experience breakthrough pain, a temporary moderate to severe flare in pain that occurs even though the patient is taking medications regularly. Breakthrough pain occurs despite the reduction of pain from a regular pain medication schedule. It does not mean that the pain is uncontrolled or that the pain medication has failed. It may often the most effective prescription medication for moderate to of pain relief they need. The most serious risk associated with opioids is respiratory depression. Common opioid side effects are constipation, nausea, sedation, dizziness, vomiting, headache, dry mouth, sweating and weakness. Partners Against Pain is a resource for health professionals and patients to learn more about pain management. Information and tools to help managepain are available at www.partnersagainstpain. com or can be requested by writing to Partners Against Pain at 1 Stamford Forum, Department M, Stamford, Connecticut 06901-3431.
