MedifocusHealth

• Mind-body interventions - relaxation techniques, guided-imagery, meditation, hypnosis
• Acupuncture
• Massage therapy
• Music therapy

In general, patients with severe mood disturbances (e.g., panic attacks; suicide ideation) require immediate psychological evaluation and treatment to stabilize their acute condition before CAM therapies may be considered. For most patients with mild to moderate anxiety and mood disturbances, CAM therapies are a useful adjunct to conventional treatments for managing psychological distress. Techniques such as mind-body interventions, acupuncture, and music therapy are generally safe when performed by qualified, experienced practitioners and can help cancer patients better cope with feelings of anxiety, fear, hopelessness, and depression. Although some herbs and dietary supplements (e.g., Kava Kava; St. John's Wort; Passionflower) have been reported to relieve anxiety and mood disturbances, some experts have discouraged the use of these products in cancer patients because they may interfere with drugs used to treat cancer (chemotherapeutic agents) and/or other medications that patients may be taking. Patients should discuss the risks and benefits of using any herbal medications/dietary supplements with their oncologist before taking any of these products, particularly if they are undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery.

Cancer-Related Pain

Pain is a relatively common symptom that is experienced by many cancer patients. In recent years, increased awareness about this problem has led to important advances in the management of patients with cancer-related pain. In fact, today most major cancer centers in the United States have established pain management clinics, usually located within the Anesthesiology department of a hospital, that specialize in helping patients to better control their cancer-related pain.

Most often, the source of cancer-related pain is the tumor itself. This can occur when a tumor spreads and invades other tissues or organs of the body; when a tumor compresses a nearby nerve or the spinal cord; or when a tumor causes intestinal obstruction. Cancer-related pain may also be caused by some procedures that are used for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Examples include tissue biopsy; placement of a central line catheter; bone marrow aspiration; and spinal tap.

Irrespective of the source of your cancer pain, it is important to notify your oncologist or primary care doctor about any pain or discomfort that you may be experiencing so that appropriate measures can be taken to eliminate or better control the pain. In developing an individualized pain control strategy, your doctor will want to learn as much as possible about the pain you are experiencing, including:

• When did the pain start?
• How long does the pain last (acute or chronic)?
• Is the pain minor, moderate, or severe?
• Is the pain localized to a particular area of the body?
• Are there any specific activities or events that either "trigger" the pain or help to alleviate the pain?
• To what extent does the pain interfere with your quality of life and activities of daily living?
• Are you currently taking any pain medications?

Drug Therapy for Cancer-Related Pain

A wide range of pain medications is available for helping patients better cope with cancer-related pain. Your doctor will determine the specific type of medication that is most suitable for you based on the information you provide including the severity of the pain (e.g., mild, moderate, or severe) and the duration of the pain. You can help your doctor in selecting the most appropriate pain medication for your specific type of cancer pain by providing him/her with as much information as possible about the nature and characteristics of the pain. Be sure to also notify your doctor if: