A recent study at the City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California discovered that as many as 80 percent of advanced cancer patients experience pain that could be prevented or controlled.
The researchers discovered that patients are afraid of becoming addicted to pain medication, and that fear may keep them from asking for relief. The researchers pointed out that those fears are generally unfounded because such addiction rarely happens.
The news isn’t all negative, however. Recent efforts initiated by several states are helping to develop an awareness of the problem across the country. Also, federally sponsored guidelines for medical personnel are being created and numerous advances in pain treatment have been made in the past several years.
In the meantime, experts advise patients who experience persistent pain to request relief, and to be clear and decisive in making their needs known to family members and to hospital staff.
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