Even when we hear the word cancer, fear comes to many of us. Another big question that comes with it is pain. "Will it hurt a lot if I get cancer?", "Will I feel pain during treatment?" Questions like these are probably on your mind. In fact, not everyone fighting cancer experiences pain. But a significant number of people do. The best part is, you don't have to suffer through this pain alone. There are advanced methods today to control it.
Simply put, what is cancer pain?
Cancer pain is pain that occurs because you have cancer or because of the treatments you receive for it (for example, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery). This pain can feel different. Sometimes it can be sharp, stabbing, or dull, burning, numb, or throbbing.
The important thing is that pain is a part of cancer treatment . So talking to your doctor about pain is as important as treating the cancer. Don't think, "I just have to put up with this."
Are there different types of cancer pain?
Yes, cancer pain doesn't come in the same form. There are several main types of it. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Pain type | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Acute Pain | This is pain that occurs after surgery or during treatment and goes away after a few days. It can range from mild to severe. |
| Chronic Pain | This pain does not go away like acute pain. It is persistent. This type of pain can occur when nerves are damaged by cancer or its treatment. |
| Breakthrough Pain | A sudden, severe pain that comes on suddenly, even when you're taking painkillers regularly. This can happen when the painkiller wears off. |
| Phantom Pain | After a part of the body (e.g., a leg, arm) is surgically removed due to cancer, the feeling of pain in the removed part is due to signals from the brain. |
| Referred Pain | The pain is in one place, but the cause is somewhere else. For example, if the liver is swollen due to liver cancer and presses on a nerve, you may experience pain in the right shoulder. |
How does pain feel?
Not everyone experiences pain in the same way, and the way it is felt can also vary depending on the cause of the pain.
- Bone pain: A dull, throbbing pain coming from within the bones.
- Joint pain: The body may feel achy and stiff.
- Nerve pain: It can feel like burning, numbness, electric shocks, or stabbing pain.
- Soft tissue pain: This pain, which occurs in a limb or muscle, can feel sharp, cramp-like, throbbing, or aching.
This is why it is very important to clearly tell the doctor when you have pain , where it hurts and how it feels .
How to treat pain?
Managing cancer pain is as important as treating the cancer itself. Your doctor will ask you a few questions to help you with this.
- How much does it hurt?: On a scale from zero (0) to ten (10), you will be asked where your pain is located (10 being the most unbearable pain).
- How does it feel?: As mentioned earlier, describe it as burning, throbbing, or sharp.
- Where does it hurt?: When you know exactly where it hurts, it's easier to find the cause.
- How does it affect daily life?: Is the pain keeping you from sleeping? Is it hard to eat? Is it making it impossible to do work? Knowing things like these can be very helpful in planning treatment.
You may be asked to keep a "pain diary." This means recording the time of pain, when you took your medication, and how long it took for the medication to work. This will help your treatment team develop a treatment plan that works best for you.
What are the treatments?
There are several treatment options. The treatment depends on the cause of the pain. For example, if the pain is caused by a cancerous tumor pressing on a nerve, chemotherapy may be given to shrink the tumor. In addition, other treatments are also done.
1. Medication
Various types of medications are used to control pain.
- Non-opioids: Commonly used painkillers such as Paracetamol and NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
- Opioids: A type of strong painkiller commonly prescribed for cancer pain. Drugs like Morphine, Fentanyl, Oxycodone, and Tramadol belong to this category.
Many people are afraid of becoming addicted to these `(Opioid)` type medications. That's a reasonable fear. However, when these are taken under the supervision of a doctor, in the prescribed dosage, and for the prescribed period, the risk is very low. Talk openly with your doctor about your fears.
2. Other helpful medications
Along with the main medication for pain, medication can also be given for other problems.
| Drug type | What is it used for? |
|---|---|
| Anticonvulsants (eg, Gabapentin, Pregabalin) | To control pain such as inflammation and numbness caused by nerve damage. |
| Corticosteroids (eg, Dexamethasone, Prednisone) | To reduce swelling and relieve bone pain. |
| Antidepressants | It helps with some nerve pain and reduces the stress caused by pain. |
| Laxatives | Some strong painkillers (Opioids) cause constipation. To control it. |
3. Medical methods that block pain signals
- Nerve Block: Injecting a drug near the nerve that carries pain, temporarily stopping the pain signal from reaching the brain.
- Pain Pumps (Intrathecal Catheters): A small device surgically implanted in the spine delivers pain medication directly into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord.
- Radiofrequency Ablation: Using radio waves, a small section of the nerve that carries pain is heated and deactivated.
What happens if pain is not treated?
Enduring pain can affect every aspect of your life.
- I can't sleep well.
- I have a loss of appetite.
- The body becomes weak and unable to perform daily tasks.
- Over time, this pain can lead to conditions such as anxiety and depression.
There are several reasons why some people are afraid to talk about pain:
- "I think the doctor will shift the focus from the cancer treatment to the pain."
- "Does increasing pain mean increasing cancer?" I'm afraid.
Your doctor understands all of this. Remember, pain management is an essential part of cancer treatment. So don't be afraid to talk about pain.
When should you talk to the doctor?
In the following cases, be sure to inform your medical team.
- If you experience `breakthrough pain` (severe pain that comes on suddenly, even after taking medication).
- If the pain cannot be controlled with the medications you are currently taking, or if the pain is getting worse .
- If the side effects of painkillers, such as dizziness, drowsiness, and vomiting , are too much to bear.
Can I get help with pain management at home?
Yes, in addition to taking the medication exactly as prescribed by the doctor, these things can help.
- Warm packs: Helps reduce muscle pain and stiffness. Apply for 10-20 minutes. However, do not apply heat to areas where there are cancerous tumors or areas that have received radiation therapy.
- Cold packs: Applying an ice pack wrapped in a cloth can help reduce swelling and some nerve pain. Leave this on for 10-20 minutes.
It's best to ask your doctor before doing any of these things.
Take-Home Message
- Not everyone experiences pain due to cancer. But if pain does occur, it can be controlled.
- Don't tolerate pain. It can severely impact your quality of life. Pain management is part of cancer treatment.
- Talk openly and honestly with your doctor about the pain you're feeling - how severe it is, how it feels, where it hurts, etc.
- If you're worried about becoming addicted to painkillers, talk to your doctor about that too. They can teach you how to use the medication safely.
- You are not alone in this battle with cancer. There is a whole team of doctors to help you manage your pain.
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