DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112137-20230809-00188
Cancer pain is a debilitating consequence that often accompanies the diagnosis of cancer, significantly impairing the quality of life for countless patients. While efforts to manage cancer pain in China have seen considerable progress over the past three decades, a gap remains between current practices and the escalating health needs of a growing aging population with cancer. In a recent issue of Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi, researchers Zheng H and Wang YL present a formidable analysis of this disparity, underlining the urgency to prioritize integrated management approaches to effectively raise the proficiency of diagnosis and treatment related to cancer pain in China.
Current State of Cancer Pain Management in China
Cancer pain has long been recognized as one of the most prevalent complications arising from cancer and its treatment. However, the journey to effective pain management for cancer patients in China began later than it did in developed countries and has ebbed and flowed over the years. With robust support from health authorities and driven by dedicated medical professionals, China has worked to build a framework for cancer pain management that mirrors the evolving understanding of comprehensive patient care.
Substantial strides have been taken. In China’s major cancer institutions, there is increasing recognition of the need for interdisciplinary teams, including oncologists, anesthesiologists, palliative care specialists, and other healthcare providers, to collaborate on personalized pain management plans. These efforts advocate for addressing the physical, emotional, and psychosocial aspects of pain experienced by cancer patients.
Remaining Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite remarkable advancements, a critical gap persists in the alignment of cancer pain management development and the actual health necessities of Chinese patients with cancer. Contributing factors to this gap include an accelerated aging demographic, a rise in the incidence of cancer, lengthier survival rates for cancer patients due to advancements in treatments, and elevated public expectations for a higher quality of life.
The omnipresent potential for improvement provokes a compelling question: How can the integrated management of cancer pain in China be further enhanced? Support from health authorities and continued education for medical professionals on the latest pain management techniques are central to this progression. Research must continue to uncover novel analgesic methods, non-pharmacological interventions, and cutting-edge technologies that can address the complex nature of cancer pain.
Moreover, accessibility to adequate pain relief remains an issue for many patients. Infrastructure must be strengthened to provide a seamless continuum of care from the urban centers to more rural areas of China. Ensuring that medications for pain relief are available and affordable, and policies that empower physicians to prescribe necessary treatments without excessive restrictions, are essential steps toward bridging the gap.
Advocating for the patient’s right to pain management, introducing comprehensive educational programs to debunk the stigma around opioid use for cancer pain, and promoting awareness among the public and healthcare providers alike are further crucial elements that could enhance the integrated management of cancer pain in China.
Policy Recommendations and Actions
Looking forward, more systemic approaches are required to ameliorate cancer pain management. Among these, Zheng H and Wang YL suggest the following:
1. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: To develop and implement multidisciplinary pain management protocols that are flexible and adaptable to the varied needs of cancer patients.
2. Education and Training: To enhance the skills of healthcare providers, through continuous professional development, in the assessment and management of cancer pain.
3. Research and Innovation: To foster research initiatives aimed at newer, safer, and more effective pain management strategies, including personalized medicine approaches.
4. Policy and Accessibility: To revise and refine policies related to pain management that will ensure the availability of essential medicines and overcome bureaucratic barriers to effective pain relief.
5. Patient-Centered Care: To prioritize the perspectives and experiences of patients in pain management strategies, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are met.
Conclusion
Zheng H and Wang YL’s review in Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi provides a foundational understanding of where China stands in cancer pain management and the formidable challenges that lie ahead. It is a clarion call to health care providers, policymakers, and society at large to advance the proficiency in diagnosing and treating cancer pain, aspiring to deliver on the promise of a more compassionate, comprehensive, and patient-centered healthcare model.
References
1. Zheng, H., & Wang, Y. L. (2024). [Prioritizing the integrated management of cancer pain to comprehensively enhance the diagnosis and treatment proficiency in cancer pain]. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi, 104(3), 167-170. doi:10.3760/cma.j.cn112137-20230809-00188
2. Department of Anesthesiology, National Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College. (2024).
3. National Anti-Tumor Drug Surveillance System of National Cancer Center. (2024).
4. World Health Organization. (2019). Cancer pain relief. Geneva: World Health Organization.
5. Cleary, J. F., & Carbone, P. P. (2002). Palliative medicine in the elderly. Cancer, 94(12), 3052-3057.
Keywords
1. Cancer pain management China
2. Integrated pain management strategies
3. Pain diagnosis and treatment proficiency
4. Cancer patient quality of life
5. Aging population cancer care
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