People with cancer don’t always have pain, but some people may have pain due to cancer treatment or from conditions unrelated to the cancer.

There are many ways to manage pain, and cancer pain can usually be controlled. Ask those caring for you to help you control your pain as much as possible.

We hope this information will help you understand treatments for pain and that it will give you useful information for dealing with pain. It is not intended to take the place of good communication between you and the health professionals who are caring for you. Throughout this booklet there are reminders to check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about pain relief.

“Pain control really gives you back your life.”

• What is cancer pain?
• Causes of cancer pain
• What affects pain?
• Describing pain
• Treating pain
• Using pain medications
• Medications for mild pain
• Medications for strong pain
• Relieving pain without medication

 

General information

• Seeking support
• Information checklist
• What does this word mean?

 

Download

• Overcoming Cancer Pain [Size: 714KB]
  A guide for people with cancer, their families and friends

Request a booklet

For a free printed copy of Overcoming Cancer Pain please call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20

Editorial Policy

Read the editorial policy for the Understanding Cancer series.

Content revised March 2009

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