The problem of pain in cancer patients

Abstract

The differences between acute and chronic pain are considered, with emphasis on the Instructive function of the former and the destructive nature of the latter; the approach given through history to the control of pain is described and information on the Incidence of cancer pain is presented. Different circumstances contribute to the presence of pain; some of 'them have to do with the fact that health personnel is not well informed concerning pain; others derive from negative or wrong attitudes of the patient or the family. The importance of allocating cancer control resources according to the development level of the country is dealt with in detail; the WHO has proposed that in developing countries a larger proportion be used for pain control and palliative care. This organization also introduced the concept of the analgesic ladder that establishes three categories of pain and their respective treatment: mild, moderate and intense; if management is made according to the category relief is obtained in 90% of cases. Analgesic drugs should be supplemented with non-pharmacological modalities of treatment.