Complete Guide to Relieving Cancer Pain and Suffering

Cancer pain experts assert that the careful application of contemporary techniques can bring relief to an astounding 90 to 99 percent of cancer patients, yet unnecessary, often agonizing pain continues to be under-treated. Here, Dr. Richard B. Patt and Susan Lang have collaborated to produce an essential handbook for patients, their caregivers, family and friends. Thoroughly revising their widely-praised 1994 book, You Don't Have to Suffer, the authors illuminate the reasons patients are so often under-medicated--including the need to tough it out, time-consuming paperwork for doctors who prescribe drugs, and exaggerated concerns about laws that fail to distinguish between the abuse of drugs and their legitimate use. Patt and Lang demonstrate that when patients are properly medicated they are better able to resume active lives and marshal the courage and strength needed to keep fighting--while those in chronic pain are not only demoralized by suffering, but also jeopardize their potential for recovery. This book helps patients and their families cope with the practical problems of cancer pain and suffering. It describes the full spectrum of today's--and tomorrow's--pain-relieving arsenal--starting with tips on communicating with doctors through a better understanding of drug therapies, high-tech medical procedures and psychological, cognitive, and "mind-body" techniques that can help raise patients' spirits. The authors discuss depression and anxiety, as well as physical symptoms like hunger, nausea and weakness. This volume will enable people with cancer to make informed decisions about all aspects of their care and will be of enormous value to the growing number of patients, family members, and health-care professionals determined to relieve the needless suffering of cancer.Patt, Richard B. is the author of 'Complete Guide to Relieving Cancer Pain and Suffering' with ISBN 9780195135022 and ISBN 0195135024.