How to Reduce the Pain Caused by Colon Cancer

Colon cancer attacks the lining of the colon, which is a small portion of the digestive tract in the large intestine. As with all cancer, you may experience pain with colon cancer, either from the disease itself or from the treatment. Pain management is an important part of the treatment process.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• Oncologist

1. Be honest about your pain. The amount of pain or type of pain you have depends on the stage of your cancer and what treatments you are undergoing. Obviously, pain also depends on your actual pain threshold. In general, the further cancer progresses and spreads, the more pain you will have to contend with.

2. Stay on top of your pain. If the cancer progresses, the frequency and type of pain you endure will change. Speak to your doctor in detail about your pain to decide if you need to change your medication or raise your dosage.

3. Think out of the box. Try complementary pain treatments such as meditation, acupuncture, hydrotherapy and aromatherapy, among other therapies. Be sure to speak to your doctor before starting any alternative therapy during your cancer treatment.

4. Consider radiation treatment. Pain caused by colon cancer often occurs when a tumor is pressing against nerves, bones and other organs. If you have an inoperable tumor, radiation may reduce the size of the tumor, which will in turn reduce pain. Radiation has its own side effects, so you will want to weigh the risks against the benefits.

5. Monitor the effectiveness of pain treatments. Whether you keep a physical log or merely speak with your doctor over time, pain caused by your colon cancer should be kept at a reasonable level. If your pain does not subside, ask for a referral to a specialist who can help you develop strategies to reduce the pain.

6. Expect to limit your physical activity when recovering from colon cancer surgery or undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments. While regular exercise can help in certain cases, allowing the body to rest is an important part of the healing process.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider putting in place an advance directive and other legal documents giving a family member the responsibility to take charge of your care should you be unable to make decisions.
• Ask your doctor if you need to wean yourself off pain medication. Some pills should not be stopped cold turkey.
• Living with cancer can cause severe depression. If you find yourself relying too heavily on your pain medications, speak to your doctor about possible addiction. He or she may also refer you to a mental health provider.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• How to Lose 30+lbs Guaranteed. Try it Free.