Treating cancer pain

Many people can treat cancer pain, from health professionals to counsellors. It’s worth knowing what each of them can do. There are also small things you can do to help yourself.

Doctors measure cancer pain so they can give you the right treatment. This can include asking questions, examining you and rating your pain on a scale.

Whatever painkillers you have to treat cancer pain, it helps to know more about what you're taking and any possible side effects.

Some things can get in the way of treating pain effectively, including any worries you might have about painkillers. Knowing about these barriers can help.

Cancer treatments can be used to treat pain, as well as cancer. They can help shrink it and reduce pressure on nerves and surrounding tissues. Find out more about these treatments.

A nerve block can help relieve cancer pain that is difficult to treat. It kills or deadens the nerve to stop it causing pain. Find out about more.

Cancer that spreads to the bones can cause weakness and pain. Find out about treatments that can strengthen painful bones.

There are many ways that you and your family might help to control your pain including using complementary therapies, TENS machine and other techniques.