Pain is very common for cancer survivors. Pain can be mild or severe, and can affect your quality of life. There are many sources of help to manage or control pain.
Information for cancer survivors and their families
- American Cancer Society (ACS) website: Cancer pain (US)
- BBC podcast: You me and the big C – Managing the pain (UK)
- Cancer Council Victoria booklet: Overcoming cancer pain
- Cancer.Net booklet: ASCO answers – managing cancer related pain (US)
- Cancer Council Victoria website: Frequently asked questions about cancer pain
- Cancer Council podcast: The thing about cancer – Managing cancer pain
- Springboard Beyond Cancer website: Pain –self management (US)
- Springboard Beyond Cancer website: Tingling, burning & numbness (neuropathy) – self management (US)
Guidance documents
- American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guideline (2016): Management of chronic pain in survivors of adult cancers (US)
- American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guideline (2014): Prevention and management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in survivors of adult cancers (US)
- Cancer guidelines wiki (2016): The Australian adult cancer pain management guideline
Additional information for health professionals
If you would like to advise of any relevant projects or provide feedback please email, ACSC
Clinical services at Peter Mac Parkville
The following services are available to patients of Peter Mac, Parkville. If you are treated elsewhere, please speak with your oncology team, as you may have different clinical service options.
- Chronic pain services This service includes assessment and management of chronic pain by pain medicine specialists.
- Optimisation clinic This multidisciplinary outpatient clinic is for cancer survivors with complex needs. Services include a dietitian, psychologist, physiotherapist and occupational therapist.
- Pain services This service provides evidence-based, safe and effective pain management for people with current or past cancers.
- Palliative care services Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life for patients and their families facing problems associated with life-threatening illness.
- Physiotherapy services Physiotherapists and exercise physiologists can assist with mobility and physical function before, during and after cancer treatment.
- Psychology services Psychologists use various approaches to help people with cancer and their families adjust to the emotional and psychological challenges of cancer.
Other clinical services in the Parkville precinct
The following services are available to patients of the Parkville precinct (Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital). Peter Mac is also part of the Parkville precinct, with services listed separately, above. If you are treated elsewhere, please speak with your oncology team, as you may have different clinical service options.
Parkville Integrated Palliative Care Service This service is delivered by very experienced medical, nursing clinicians and allied health clinicians.