Cancer can cause pain in many ways—a tumor pressing on nearby organs and nerves, nerve damage caused by chemotherapy and surgery, or side effects from cancer treatments. Research shows that cancer cells may also release chemicals that cause inflammation and pain in the area around the cancer.Whatever the cause, untreated pain has long-term effects—both physical and psychological—and can also get in the way of your cancer treatment.
"Often patients are in so much pain they can't even get to the hospital for treatment," says Kathleen Foley, MD, a neurologist and former chief of the Pain and Palliative Care Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
"Getting the pain under control will allow you to take care of yourself and your family," says Dr. Foley.
It's hard to stay positive without pain control
Cathy Bueti, 38, from Brewster, N.Y., found that chemotherapy after a mastectomy gave her joint pain. Already suffering hot flashes from menopause and recovering from the relatively recent loss of her husband, she was thrown into a tailspin.
"You're so scared and you're going through all these emotions, and then on top of it you're getting these aches and pains in your joints."
When her regular chemotherapy sessions (scheduled every three weeks for six months) began to cause her significant pain, it was hard to stay positive. "You knew it was going to be a while before you felt better," says Bueti, "And just as you're feeling better, boom, it's time to go back and get zapped again with the chemo."
Treating your pain is part of treating your cancer
The key is that there is treatment for cancer pain, and it's a fundamental part of the cure.
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