What are the treatment options for cancer pain?

Pain may come from a tumour pressing on tissue, affected nerves, inflammation, treatment, or another health problem. Your team will ask where the pain is, what it feels like, when it appears, and how it affects sleep, movement, and daily activities. A plan may use regular medicine, medicine for breakthrough pain, or treatment for nerve-related pain. The aim is to improve comfort and function while monitoring unwanted effects such as drowsiness, nausea, or constipation.

When pain is linked to a specific tumour area, treating the cancer can sometimes reduce the pressure or inflammation. Palliative radiotherapy can target a painful area, while palliative care supports comfort, mood, sleep, and practical needs at any stage of cancer.

Keep a brief record of pain location, intensity, timing, triggers, medicines taken, and relief. Take prescribed medicines as directed and tell the team if relief fades before the next dose or if side effects interfere with eating, walking, or alertness. Do not stop or change strong pain medicine without advice. Ask whether gentle movement, positioning, heat or cold, relaxation, and support from a pain or palliative-care team are suitable for you.

Contact your cancer team promptly for new severe pain, rapidly worsening pain, pain with new weakness or numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, confusion, repeated vomiting, or difficulty breathing. Seek emergency help for sudden severe symptoms or if you cannot stay awake safely. A pain flare deserves review even when you are already receiving treatment.

What is the likely source of my pain, and what is the treatment goal? Which medicine is for regular control and which is for breakthrough pain? What side effects should I prevent or report? Could radiotherapy, cancer treatment, or palliative care help this particular pain? Who should I contact outside clinic hours?