When is palliative care recommended for cancer pain?

A palliative care team assesses where the pain is, what it feels like, when it occurs and how it changes with movement or treatment. The team may help adjust pain medicines, manage side effects such as constipation or nausea, and consider physical, emotional, social and spiritual concerns.

Palliative care can be provided alongside chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery or other cancer treatment. It does not mean that cancer treatment has stopped, and it is not limited to the final stage of illness. A referral can be useful when pain is new, persistent, difficult to control or interfering with meaningful activities.

Keep a short record of pain intensity, location, timing, triggers, medicine taken and relief. Tell the oncology team about breakthrough pain, drowsiness, constipation, vomiting or trouble swallowing medicines. Do not change doses, crush tablets or stop prescribed pain relief without advice, because some medicines need gradual adjustment.

Ask whether a palliative care referral can happen during the next appointment. Include a family member or caregiver if you want help remembering instructions. The team can also discuss home support, mobility, sleep and coping with pain-related worry.

Seek urgent medical help for severe pain that suddenly worsens, new weakness or numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, confusion, extreme sleepiness, repeated vomiting, chest pain or difficulty breathing. Contact the cancer team promptly if prescribed medicine is not controlling pain or side effects prevent you from taking it.

Ask: Could palliative care review my pain now? What is each medicine for, and when should I use rescue relief? Which side effects need a call? Could radiotherapy, a procedure, physiotherapy or counselling help the pain source? Who is available outside clinic hours?