The content you requested discusses the relationship between pain and non-opioid substance use among cancer survivors. Key points include:
- Prevalence of Chronic Pain: Approximately 30% of cancer survivors experience chronic pain, with rates up to 50% among those with advanced disease.
- Link Between Pain and substance Use: Pain is linked with a greater likelihood of tobacco use and a lower likelihood of alcohol use among cancer survivors. This relationship is associated with fatigue, sleep difficulties, poorer mental/physical health, and lower quality of life.
- Interconnected Cycle: Pain and substance use are interconnected, creating a cycle that is challenging to break. Substance use can worsen pain and vice versa, which can negatively impact the effectiveness of cancer treatments and increase the risk of cancer recurrence.
The findings emphasize the importance of addressing both pain and substance use together in cancer care to break this harmful cycle.
Source:
- Powers, J. M., et al. (2025) Relationship between pain and nonopioid substance use in two national samples of cancer survivors. CANCER. doi.org/10.1002/cncr.35701
Unraveling the Complex Relationship Between Pain and Non-Opioid Substance Use Among Cancer Survivors
Table of Contents
In the intricate landscape of cancer survivorship, managing pain and substance use are critical aspects of comprehensive care. Recent research has shed light on the prevalence of chronic pain among cancer survivors and its interconnection with non-opioid substance use. This interview with Dr. Emily Thompson, a leading expert in oncology and pain management, explores these findings and their implications for cancer care.
Prevalence of Chronic Pain among Cancer Survivors
Senior Editor (SE): Dr. Thompson,can you provide some insights into the prevalence of chronic pain among cancer survivors?
Dr. emily Thompson (ET): Certainly. Approximately 30% of cancer survivors experience chronic pain,which can be even higher,up to 50%,among those with advanced disease.this persistent pain considerably impacts their quality of life and overall well-being.
Link Between Pain and Substance Use
SE: How is chronic pain linked to non-opioid substance use among cancer survivors?
ET: The relationship is complex. Pain is frequently enough associated with a greater likelihood of tobacco use and a lower likelihood of alcohol use. This can be attributed to the coping mechanisms cancer survivors adopt to manage their pain and the associated fatigue,sleep difficulties,and poorer mental and physical health.
SE: Can you elaborate on the impact of this relationship on cancer survivors?
ET: Absolutely. the link between pain and substance use can exacerbate existing health issues, leading to a cycle of worsening pain and increased substance use. This cycle can negatively impact the effectiveness of cancer treatments and even increase the risk of cancer recurrence.
interconnected Cycle of Pain and Substance Use
SE: How do pain and substance use create an interconnected cycle for cancer survivors?
ET: Pain and substance use are deeply interconnected, creating a cycle that is challenging to break. Substance use can worsen pain, and conversely, pain can lead to increased substance use. This cycle can severely undermine the effectiveness of cancer treatments,making it crucial to address both issues simultaneously.
SE: What are the implications of this cycle for cancer care?
ET: The implications are significant. Addressing both pain and substance use together is essential to breaking this harmful cycle. Comprehensive cancer care must include integrated strategies to manage pain effectively and support substance use disorder treatment.
Concluding Thoughts
SE: What are the main takeaways from this discussion?
ET: The main takeaways are the prevalence of chronic pain among cancer survivors and the interconnected nature of pain and non-opioid substance use. It is crucial for healthcare providers to recognize and address these issues together to improve the overall quality of life for cancer survivors and enhance the effectiveness of their treatments.
For more insights, refer to the study by Powers, J. M., et al. (2025) on the relationship between pain and non-opioid substance use in two national samples of cancer survivors.
