Pain

For women affected by breast cancer, overcoming pain can be a major part of dealing with the disease and its treatment. Pain is a common side effect of treatment and also a side effect of cancer.

But you don't have to suffer. With proper treatment, most people can get relief from most, if not all, of their pain.

Pain medications have become increasingly sophisticated and effective. There are more ways for you to take them, new knowledge of how to use them, and fewer side effects. Today, we also understand more about how complementary therapies, which don't use medication, may help reduce or end pain.

Try not to be discouraged. It's normal for anyone plagued by pain to feel frustrated, exhausted, and depressed. This section of breastcancer.org helps you combat those feelings with suggestions for identifying and treating your pain and strategies for building a pain-free recovery.

The medical experts for Pain are:

• Jeffrey Gudin, M.D., pain medicine specialist, anesthesiologist, and Director of Pain Management, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Englewood, NJ
• Michael H. Levy, M.D., Ph.D., Vice Chair, Department of Medical Oncology, Director, Pain Management Center, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA
• Marisa C. Weiss, M.D., breast radiation oncologist, Lankenau Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University Health System, Philadelphia, PA

Dr. Weiss is a member of the breastcancer.org Professional Advisory Board, including more than 60 medical experts in breast cancer-related fields.

This section is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Cephalon, Inc.