Cancer has proved to be the most feared diagnosis to any individual. From the research done by the American Cancer Society statistics, more than half million cancer patients died in the year 2006 whereas those that survive live in pain and under close medical attention. However, there have been reported cases of insufficient pain control measures with the presence of specialists and oncologists. Hence there is need to discuss the ways of controlling the intractable pain, methods of increasing effective treatment and improvement of compliance.
For instance, during the initial step in the pain management, it involves the use of nonopioid analgesics that include aspirins and acetaminophen. The latter is the most used nonopioid analgesics in the United States. The paracetamol is always advised to be used in the first step in pain moderation. Even if its mechanism of action has not yet been got well, most use it to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis in the central nervous system. The acetaminophen can be used in general cancer treatment but work well when mixed with opioids. Most patients work well under the use of acetaminophen; however, there is a limitation in dosing for the patients with hepatic dysfunction because it leads to hepatic toxicity.
From the research done, it is evident that most opioids are readily available in the market. Hence, the cancer patients with mild pain can use them in moderation of slight discomfort. For example, codeine and hydrocodone are opioids applied in reduction of pain syndromes but play no role in the severe cancer pains. From the above research findings, it is crucial to give each cancer patient personal according to the levels of anxiety
Lastly, there is the big lesson learned in collaboration. Interprofessional collaboration must be put into practice for efficient treatment of the patients. A surgeon or oncologist cannot work alone in the procedure. For example, most cancer patients develop ulcerating wounds due to fungal infestation. The injuries must regularly be dressed by the health care nurses to avoid enlargement. The unity of the professionals also provides the cancer patient with relief from the most feared symptoms that result from severe pains.
Work Cited
Nersesyan, Hrachya, and Konstantin V. Slavin. "Current aproach to cancer pain management: Availability and implications of different treatment options." Therapeutics and clinical risk management 3.3 (2007): 381.
Nersesyan, Hrachya, et al. "Pain Management in Cancer Patients." Cancer Management in Man: Chemotherapy, Biological Therapy, Hyperthermia and Supporting Measures. Springer Netherlands, 2011. 437-452.