Cancer Pain Management Techniques

Regaard (2000) reports that of the symptoms experienced by people with advanced cancer, pain is the most feared. This fear is not groundless as the incidence of uncontrolled pain is high in groups of cancer patients (Gunnarsdottir, Donovan, Serlin, Voge & Ward, 2002). Thus, cancer patients need real help to manage their pain. Diverse methods of cancer pain management have been developed for cancer patients of all ages (Ellis, O'Connor, Cappelli, Goodman, Blouin & Reid, 2002). According to the World Health Organization (1999), in a substantial percentage of cancer patients, a pain management strategy that is often used to control (eliminate or reduce pain) consists of pain reduction medication delivered conjointly with relaxation and support techniques.

WHO (1999) defines "cancer pain medication" as an administration of drugs with pain reducing properties. It is noted that for mild to moderate pain, the drugs are often aspirin, acetaminophen, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). When discomfort lasts or increases, the doctor may add an opioid to aspirin, acetaminophen, or NSAIDS. If pain persists, the opioid potency or dose may be increased. Also, there may be some additional doses of drugs that can be taken as needed for pain that occurs between scheduled doses

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more than the physical dimension and that pain management must address these additional aspects of human being such as their psychoemotional ability to cope. In terms of Nursing Theory, this foundational element of the conjoint approach fits in well with the Adaptation Model of Nursing first formulated by Sister Callista Roy (Heather & Roy, 1999). According to Roy, the application of nursing requires much more than merely administering drugs and treatments; rather, the overall concentration of nursing is based significantly more within the psychological components of the patient/caregiver relationship than most people realize. In its purest form, Roy's holistic approach seeks to treat the entire being as a single entity. The nurse strives to achieve wellness in the most natural manner possible and therefore relaxation/support modalities such as acupuncture and homeopathy fit well in terms of overall patient treatment. Therefore, while this paper is not examining any particular theory of nursing, it can be noted that the cancer pain management strategy that is being explored for effectiveness is a strategy that can be directly connected to the Roy Adaptation Model of Nursing. Research on Effectiveness of Conjoint Medication and
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Approximate Word count = 2225
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page)

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