On the occasion of World Cancer Day, the Spanish Multidisciplinary Pain Society (SEMDOR) highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach to chronic cancer pain, studying in depth the pain and emotional sensitivity of the patient and the family circle
Photo provided by the Utrecht University Hospital (UMC). EFE
Cancer is a disease that affected 19.3 million people in the world in 2020, according to estimates by the Agency for Research on Cancer.
That same year, the most common new cancer cases were: breast cancer (2.26 million cases); pulmonary (2.21 million deaths); colorectal (1.93 million cases); prostate (1.41 million cases); skin (non-melanoma) (1.20 million cases); and gastric (1.09 million cases).
This figure rises every year, forecasting that it will reach about 30.2 million patients in 2040.
Therefore, the interdisciplinary approach to chronic cancer pain is essential. This type of pain affects the majority of cancer patients depending on the type of this disease and the phase in which it is, affecting 90% of patients in the terminal phase.
“In the multidisciplinary approach to conical cancer pain, it is essential to distinguish the type of pain of the patient. On the one hand, there is somatic and visceral pain that we can deal with with non-opioid and opioid analgesics. On the other hand, neuropathic pain is more resistant to most analgesics and it is necessary to use co-analgesics”,
reports Dr. Luis Miguel Torres, president of SEMDER.
In addition, there are other disciplines capable of helping the patient with pain and which allow improving the quality of life and well-being of the affected person: Anesthesia/Pain Unit, Medical Oncology, Radiotherapy Oncology, Primary Care, Rehabilitation, Pharmacy, Psychology, Physiotherapy, Nursingito, among many others.
“We also have highly advanced interventional techniques that help us control the most serious cancer pain conditions,”
adds the doctor.
How to live with chronic cancer pain?
The doctor Elena Arregui Lopezattached to the Radiotherapy Oncology Service of the General University Hospital of Ciudad Real, member of SEMDOR, also provides a series of recommendations for patients suffering from chronic cancer pain.
- Trust your oncologist and his instructions. Remember the importance of an early diagnosis.
- Record all incidences of your pain in a diary.
- Maintain a healthy and balanced diet. It has to be rich in antioxidants, mono and polyunsaturated fatty oils and fiber.
- Exercise regularly. What your disease and treatments allow you.
- Avoid toxic substances such as alcohol and tobacco.
- Take care of your psychological health.
- Strengthens social and family relationships.
- Remember that there are treatments beyond drugs, such as radiotherapy for the pain of bone metastases.
- If the pain is very intense consult a Pain Unit
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