Cancer pain

Pain in cancer can come from the tumour, metastases, treatment or another condition. A personal pain plan combining medicines and non-drug treatment can often greatly reduce pain, so that no one has to suffer unnecessarily.

• Constant or recurring pain in one or more places.
• Breakthrough pain: brief severe pain flares despite an otherwise effective regular pain plan.
• Take regular and breakthrough medicines exactly according to the agreed schedule, and do not wait until pain becomes unmanageable.
• Keep a brief record of pain, effectiveness, side effects, bowel movements, sleep and breakthrough doses used.
• Call your treatment team for new pain, a clear change in familiar pain or an increasing need for breakthrough medicine.
• For urgent GP care outside office hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediate threat to life.