American Cancer Society's Guide to Pain Control

Effective pain management enables people with cancer to live the lives they want to lead. This guide explains the pain-relief options, including medicines and other methods. It also shows how to achieve acceptable pain control and how to understand the optimal balance between pain relief and the potential side effects of pain medications.

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Effective pain management enables people with cancer to live the lives they want to lead - to eat, sleep, spend time with loves ones, work, pursue hobbies, and take part in other activities. This helpful guide explains the many pain-relief options available, including medicines and other methods. Readers will discover how to achieve acceptable pain control and how to understand the optimal balance between pain relief and the potential side effects of pain medications. The book addresses: step-by-step ways to describe pain and communicate pain-relief needs; common barriers to pain relief and how to overcome them; and practical tips and strategies for coping with side effects of pain medication.