Are You Experiencing Cancer Pain?
Not everyone with cancer will experience cancer pain, but one out of three people undergoing cancer treatment does. If you have advanced cancer, your chances are even higher. It’s important to know the facts so you can be prepared.
Cancer pain can occur in many ways. The pain you experience may be dull, aching or sharp. It could be constant, intermittent, mild, moderate or severe. It can result from the cancer itself or it can be caused by cancer growing into or destroying tissue near the cancer itself. As a tumor grows, it may put pressure on nerves, bones or organs, causing pain. If you are experiencing this pain, there could be options for pain treatment available.
Most acute (short-term) pain is caused by treatment or diagnostic procedures, though radiotherapy and chemotherapy may produce painful conditions that persist long after treatment has ended. This pain can diminish your quality of life by adversely affecting mood, sleep, social relations and activities of daily living.
