Q: What role does the family play in helping a patient handle cancer pain?

A: The family is also affected dramatically by the presence of cancer and pain. They are the unit of care when cancer patients develop pain, and we need to acknowledge that they are all suffering—emotionally, financially, physically—by having a family member be really ill. They can have a positive role and sometimes a little bit of a negative role depending on how they approach the patient. The family is the first line of coping. As health professionals, we need to keep an open line of communication with the family so they feel free to contact us and work with us to plan the best care.