Although terminal cancer pain is a chronic pain, it is not often seen in the majority of pain clinics. This is because most people with terminal cancer pain have a definable end to their pain.
For them, the most appropriate form of therapy is narcotic medication combined with other mind-changing or psychotropic medication which enables them to lead as normal a life as possible.
In some cases, terminal cancer pain can be treated in the same way as non-malignant pain. In other words, it is possible that by using hypnosis, imagery techniques or TENS therapy the pain can be brought to a level at which they can function as normally as possible for as long as possible.
Such cancer pain is usually caused by the tumour growth blocking organs, displacing those organs from their intended position in the body. Or it can come frorh the destruction of bones, organs and other tissues by tumours and/or from a direct attack by the cancer on the nervous system.
Cancer pain is often treated in specialised cancer hospitals, though many could be treated at home for much longer periods if appropriate alternative therapies were used.
Professor Kathleen Foley, chief of the pain service of the world’s largest cancer institute, Sloan-Kettering Memorial Hospital, New York, says pain is one of the most feared consequences of cancer.
But, unlike chronic pain, it is readily diagnosable and can be attributed to either the tumour or the treatment methods such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
She estimates that 25 million people with cancer annually suffer significant pain that is not effectively treated. One-third of those on active treatment, and two-thirds of the 50 million a year who die, experience ‘significant’ pain in their lives.
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