Top 5 misconceptions about pain in cancer

Article written by BSCK I Nguyen Thi Phi Yen - Head of Palliative Care Unit - Department of Internal Oncology - Radiation Oncology Center, Vinmec Times City International Hospital

For cancer patients, the degree of pain is directly proportional to the prognosis of the disease. Pain in cancer causes patients to deteriorate both physically and mentally, reducing quality of life and effectiveness of treatment. Pain management for cancer patients is a top priority in the treatment process.
Here are 5 common misconceptions about cancer pain:

This is not true. Statistics at home and abroad show that:
Over 50% of cancer patients have constant pain. Over 73% of patients with cancer pain have moderate to severe pain. And in fact, some cancer patients have no pain at all.

This is not true. According to the World Health Organization, 66% of people with advanced cancer have severe pain with different causes such as:
Due to advanced cancer Due to comorbidities: gout, diabetes Sugar, osteoarthritis Due to improper use of pain relievers Due to psychological anxiety or depression 1/3 of patients in the end stage do not have severe pain. Pain symptoms are completely controlled if the patient is fully and promptly assessed for pain, and adequate analgesics are used and psychological factors are fully supported.

This is a misconception in the treatment of pain in cancer. Cancerous lesions and associated diseases are the constant cause of pain for patients when the main therapies have not shown to be effective in alleviating or reducing the damage. Pain relievers need to be used regularly as prescribed by the doctor to keep the pain under constant control, avoiding sudden flare ups of pain.

This is completely wrong! Cancer patients have mixed pain with both physical pain and neuropathic pain. Morphine is not effective enough to completely relieve pain in cases of mixed pain. Therefore, patients need to be prescribed a combination of other pain relievers.

This is not true. New Corticosteroids and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs cause irritation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal mucosa when administered orally as well as by injection. To protect your stomach, it should be noted:
Take these drugs after meals Should be taken with drugs to protect the stomach lining

Cancer pain treatment is the use of methods aimed at reducing pain for cancer patients, helping patients feel as comfortable as possible, and improving quality of life. Pain treatment should be closely related to the progression of the cancer over time. The doctor may recommend different pain treatments depending on the patient's health condition. Options that may be considered when treating pain include: Use of pain relievers; Interrupt, destroy, or stimulate pain pathways; Increased pain threshold; Offering a reasonable lifestyle for patients to follow....
For terminal cancer patients who have poor response to pain medication, intervention by modern procedures is the solution being offered by the General Hospital. International Vinmec applies. Example:
Alcohol denervation to treat pain caused by tumor invasion of peripheral nerves. Canceling the solar plexus in visceral pain in pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer... Canceling the hypogastric plexus in cancers that invade the pelvic region such as prostate cancer, cervical cancer. Continuous epidural anesthesia, spinal anesthesia with intramedullary injection chamber to control symptoms of late stage cancer.... Customers who need advice and support on cancer treatment at Vinmec can system Vinmec Healthcare nationwide, or register online HERE.
MORE:
Pain in terminal cancer: What you need to know Pain in cancer: How is it treated? Understanding the psychology of terminal cancer patients