Pain Management In Breast Cancer Essay

Although breast cancer is recognized as encompassing multiple physical symptoms, as well as psychological and existential concerns, the symptom of pain is often cited as most critical. Unrelieved pain impacts all dimensions of quality of life (QOL) and profoundly influences the patient’s ability to endure treatment, return to health as a breast cancer survivor and achieve a peaceful death. The relief of pain is contingent upon competent, compassionate, evidence-based practice by oncology practioners. This review of the current optimal practice of pain management begins with a discussion of the prevalence of breast cancer pain, its global impact, and barriers to effective relief, and continues with a discussion of breast cancer pain syndromes, followed by the essential foundation of comprehensive pain assessment. Advances in understanding pain syndromes and assessment have contributed to major progress in addressing pain in oncology (Cohen, 2003, 527). The treatment of breast cancer pain has also advanced over the past 2 decades, with a wide spectrum of pharmacologic and complementary therapies available. This article reviews the available treatment approaches with consideration of the distinct needs of individual patients as well as special populations, including the elderly, breast cancer survivors, patients with addictive disease, and those at the end of life (Cohen, 2003, 527). Pain Management In Breast Cancer Essay