The American Cancer Society supports efforts to promote pain relief for cancer patients

American Cancer Society
Tuesday, 23 October 2001

Collaboration of health care community and Drug Enforcement Administration provides opportunity to protect medical use of pain medications

The American Cancer Society, the nation's leading voluntary health organization, unites with fellow health care and law enforcement organizations to promote pain relief for people with cancer and other terminal illnesses. The collaboration will work together to prevent abuse of prescription pain medications while ensuring that cancer drugs remain available for patients in need.

"Cancer pain is a serious public health issue. We believe that cancer patients should have access to the most effective methods of treatment to reduce their suffering; there is no need to suffer with responsible use of prescriptions," said Mary A. Simmonds, MD, current second vice president of the American Cancer Society and an expert in oncology pain management. "Distinctions must be drawn to avoid placing further stigmas on the use of prescription pain medication."

The under treatment of pain has adverse affects on quality of life for people with cancer. Approximately 50 to 70 percent of cancer patients experience pain. Research has shown that over 40 percent of cancer patients do not receive adequate relief for their pain despite the fact that medications and other therapies currently exist to relieve almost all cancer pain. OxyContin is one of the effective pain relief treatments for cancer patients.

A recent study concluded that the increase in medical use of opioid pain medications does not necessarily equate to increase in abuse. The Society recently published along with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), a pain guideline for cancer patients. These guidelines address how to assess cancer pain and the kinds of treatment doctors may recommend.

"People with cancer pain are already afraid to discuss their pain and seek the most effective treatment with their doctors because of the negative impression they have toward OxyContin and the fear they may become addicted," adds Simmonds. "Through this collaboration, along with the strong support and guidance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, we will be able to educate doctors, cancer patients and the general public about both the legitimate concerns and the benefits that pain medications can provide those in need."

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.

For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org