Not everyone with cancer will experience pain and if pain does occur it can usually be controlled effectively. Pain management aims to relieve pain during the night and the day, both at rest and on movement. It can involve drug and non-drug treatments.
Pain might be caused by:
- the cancer or its spread into other parts of the body
- bowel blockage or obstruction caused by the cancer
- ascites (a build-up of fluid in the abdomen).
Pain doesn’t always get worse. The level of pain experienced may remain unchanged, or may increase or decrease. In any situation medication can be adjusted to ensure pain relief. Pain is not necessarily related to the extent of the cancer.
Reporting pain
Any pain should be reported to a doctor, even if the pain is minor, so that the cause of the pain can be investigated and appropriate pain relief recommended. Women should report any new or worsening pain.
Coping with pain
Any pain can be difficult to cope with. However, pain is more difficult to cope with if a woman is also experiencing anxiety or depression. Being in pain can make a woman more likely to be depressed or anxious.
Support from friends, family, religious organisations, trained counsellors, psychologists or psychiatrists can help women cope with pain. Some women also find it helpful to join a support group so they can talk with other women in a similar situation.
If you are concerned by the feelings you are experiencing, it is important that you talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Help is available.
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