Patients with cancer are frequently afflicted with chronic and severe pain. Nurses must advocate for effective pain management inclusive of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies. Pain management can be particularly challenging because of the opioid crisis in the US. ONS is committed to helping nurses and APNs in practice effectively assess, prevent, and manage cancer pain. Included here are resources to inform and support your practice given the current climate around opioid use.
Addressing Cancer Pain Inequities Through Intervention
Pain Management: Strategies for Screening and Monitoring Patients Receiving Chronic Opioid Therapy
Radiation Therapy Pain Management: Prevalence of Symptoms and Effectiveness of Treatment Options
Celiac Plexus Block: Management of Abdominal Pain in Patients With Late-Stage Cancer
Cancer-Related Pain: Understanding Genetic Influences and Determining Implications for Practice
Using Relaxation and Guided Imagery to Address Pain, Fatigue, and Sleep Disturbances: A Pilot Study
Cancer-Related Pain: Assessment and Management With Putting Evidence Into Practice Interventions
Opioid Misuse: An Organizational Response While Managing Cancer-Related Pain
Opioids Have Been a Healthcare Concern Since the 1980s, but Here’s How Nurses Can Help
The Case of the Pain Paradox: Follow-Up and Clinical Trial
Opioids Have Been a Healthcare Concern Since the 1980s, but Here's How Nurses Can Help
The following links include evidence-based recommendations for interventions to manage different types of pain in patients with cancer.