About half of patients suffering breakthrough cancer pain do not get adequate relief from treatment, according to a recent survey.
A Harris survey commissioned by the American Pain Foundation says cancer patients rate the pain as 7.4 on a 10-point scale, with 10 being the worst pain imaginable.
"We're not talking about minor aches and pains," American Pain Foundation CEO Will Rowe said in a news release. "These severe flares of pain often strike without warning, leaving many people fearful of the next crippling episode."
Half the patients said that doctors tell them the pain is a normal part of the disease, and a quarter said they can't even get their heath care provider to discuss it.
"Providers and patients should not accept breakthrough cancer pain as a normal side effect of cancer," said American Pain Foundation board member Russell K. Portenoy, who is also chair of pain medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center.
The survey evaluated 545 patients with breakthrough cancer pain in October 2009. Of that group, 47 percent said the pain is due to treatment.
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