Conducting holistic pain assessments in patients with cancer-related pain
The incidence of cancer is increasing and people diagnosed with cancer are living longer, with and beyond cancer, and experiencing acute and long-term effects of their disease and its treatment. One such effect is pain, which may occur at any stage, from diagnosis to survivorship or end of life. The exact incidence of cancer-related pain is challenging to determine but it is estimated to affect between 39% and 66% of patients, according to the stage of their disease trajectory. Cancer-related pain is complex, multifactorial and multidimensional, and nurses need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to assess it in a holistic way. This article explores how nurses working in cancer settings can support people in their care by conducting holistic pain assessments.
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Why you should read this article
- to learn more about the experience of pain in patients living with and beyond cancer
- to enhance your knowledge of tools that can assist in conducting holistic pain assessments
- to count towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD, or you may wish to write a reflective account (UK readers)
- to contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers)
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