Management of Cancer-Related Pain

Effective management of cancer pain depends on a comprehensive assessment of phenomenology and pathogenesis, the relationship between the pain and the disease, and the impact of the pain and comorbid conditions that many influence quality of life(10).

Theories based on holism, such as Watson’s nursing care theory of human caring, appear to cautiously be gaining favour in the arena of medical care, revolutionizing the traditional medical "drugs first, talk later” top-down approach to pain management. For example, the proposition of recognizing pain as the “fifth vital sign” and discussing the client’s goals of care with the client and the family, as well as giving attention to the psychosocial and spiritual aspects of the cancer-related pain experience all speak to the dawning of more comprehensive healthcare (11).

The nurse may play a vital role in advocatating for a more holistic approach to cancer-related pain management if this wish is expressed by the client with cancer.