How is cancer pain treated?

Pain may come from the tumour pressing on tissue, cancer affecting bone or nerves, treatment effects, inflammation, or a separate condition. The clinician asks where pain is, what it feels like, when it occurs, what worsens it, and how it affects sleep and movement. Persistent bone pain or persistent abdominal pain should be described clearly rather than endured silently.

Treatment may include paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medicine when suitable, opioid medicines for moderate or severe pain, and medicines aimed at nerve pain or muscle spasm. Radiotherapy can ease pain from a local tumour or affected bone. Surgery, a nerve block, or another procedure may be considered for a specific cause. Palliative care supports comfort, communication, sleep, mood, and daily function at any stage of cancer.

Use a simple pain diary: record the location, severity in your own words, timing, triggers, sleep disruption, and each medicine taken. Ask how quickly a medicine should work, what to do if it does not, and how constipation, nausea, drowsiness, or dizziness will be prevented. Do not share opioid medicines or change the dose without advice. Gentle movement, positioning, heat or cold when approved, relaxation, and support with daily tasks may complement medical treatment.

Seek urgent help for new leg weakness, numbness around the groin, loss of bladder or bowel control, sudden severe back pain, confusion, extreme sleepiness, trouble breathing, or pain after a fall. These signs can indicate spinal cord pressure, a fracture, or a medicine-related emergency. Contact the cancer team promptly if pain suddenly changes or is no longer controlled.

What is the likely source of my pain? Which medicine should I take regularly and which is for breakthrough pain? Could radiotherapy, a nerve procedure, or treatment of the cancer reduce it? How will you protect against constipation and drowsiness? Who should I call outside clinic hours?