Contributed by Healthians Team
Cancer, in most cases, strikes without warning and it does not discriminate between men, women, and children, regardless of their age. Our body is composed of trillions of cells that form the foundation of our anatomy. Our evolution depends on an etched-in-stone process of cell growth and division as and when required by our system. When cells become old or damaged, they begin to die and new cells are produced.
When cancer occurs, this well-structured natural process breaks down as cells start to divide without any halt, while the old and abnormal cells continue to exist, instead of naturally dying. These additional cells multiply and gather together forming tumors. Cancer forms masses of tissue called solid tumors. In extreme cases, the tumors aggravate with many cancer cells detaching and moving to other parts of the body forming new tumors which in turn cause even more issues than cancer already has.
Causes of cancer pain
Pain can occur due to cancer itself or the side effects of treatment. Pain can occur if cancer expands and demolish the surrounding tissues. When a tumor expands, it exerts a force on organs, bones, and nerves. Tumors cause occlusion () in the hollow parts of the body such as lymph vessels, blood vessels, and digestive systems. Tumors can produce some chemicals causing pain. Patients undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy can often experience a lot of pain which is a side effect of the treatment, and the painful conditions can even persist during post-operative care.
Types of cancer pain
Following are the types of cancer pain:
Acute pain
Acute pain occurs all at once and continues for a short time, perhaps for a few days or weeks. It may be severe or mild. It occurs when the body is injured and wound. It disappears as soon as the body heals.
Chronic pain
Pain that occurs and continues for three months or more called chronic pain. it happens due to an occurring problem but it can also happen after any damaged tissue has healed.
Break-through pain
A blow-up of pain happens even though taking regular pain medicine. It may occur because the dose of medicine is not high enough or because the pain is adverse at different times of the day. Other causes of the break-through pain include illnesses and anxiety.
Nerve or neuropathic pain
It occurs due to the pressure on nerves or the spinal cord. It comes and goes and people frequently describe it as tingling or burning.
Bone pain
Pain occurs by cancer spreading to the bones and damaging bone tissue in one or more areas. It is narrated as throbbing aching or dull and it may be the worst during the night.
Soft tissue pain
Pain occurs by pressure on soft tissue including muscle. The pain is often narrated as throbbing, aching, and sharp.
Visceral Pain
Pain occurred due to pressure on internal organs and it can be difficult to identify.
Localized pain
Pain that occurs exactly where there is a problem such as pain occurs on the back due to a tumor exerting force on nerves of that area.
Phantom pain
Pain occurs because of a problem that is already no longer there such as pain after breast removal. This pain is considered real and it is difficult to manage it with medicines.
How to manage cancer pain?
Talk with your cancer team about the pain- The place of pain, when it occurs, how long it lasts, what it feels like, and so on.
If the given medicine is not working, talk with your cancer team
Rate your pain using 0 to 10.
As pain is relieved with medicine, enhance your physical activities
Don’t wait for severe pain, take medicine on time.
Reduce the medicine as the pain decreases.
avoid a sudden halt in taking medicine
If you still feel pain after taking regular medicine, talk to your cancer team.
Keep watching other side effects of the medicine
If medicines are not keeping your pain under control then talk to your cancer team
The bottom Line
Be in touch with your cancer team regularly. Take your health seriously and don’t skip medicines without the permission of your cancer team.
