MENUCancer Pain
While pain is a common side effect of cancer and cancer treatment, once identified, it is treatable
Cancer pain is often overlooked. The treatments that patients receive may lead to unnecessary pain such as neuropathy, muscle weakness and fatigue. Some patients suffer in silence and are hesitant to discuss with their medical team, due to fear of treatment being altered. Many assume that their pain isn’t treatable or is just “part” of having cancer. While pain is a common side effect, once identified, it is treatable.
At the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, pain is addressed in a multidisciplinary fashion. Our team of pain experts include, rehabilitation specialists, anesthesiologists, medical oncologists and neurosurgeons.
If you are having pain during or after treatment discuss with your physician to help determine which option might be right for you.
- Anesthesiology options
- Rehabilitation options
- Surgical options
There are additional tools that might not alleviate moderate or severe pain but can still be helpful as a supplement to your other treatment. These include:
- Acupuncture, acupressure
- Biofeedback
- Education
- Heat or cold therapy
- Hypnosis
- Massage
- Music, literature, art, play
- Prayer, mediation
- Psychotherapy, counseling
- Relaxation, guided imagery
When describing pain to your medical team, the following information is important to provide:
- Where is pain located?
- How sever is it?
- What has helped relieve the pain recently or in the past?
- If pain medications are or have been used, how has the pain been controlled, and have you noticed any side effects.
To make an appointment please talk with your medical team or call 734-647-8902.