“To be struck with cancer, or to have a loved one afflicted with cancer, is one of the most frightening events imaginable. To endure the dehumanizing pain of cancer without relief is overwhelming. To helplessly witness that anguish in a loved one is heartbreaking. To discover later, however, that the suffering might have been prevented is perhaps the worst of all.” This moving paragraph is how The Complete Guide to Relieving Cancer Pain & Suffering, by Richard B. Patt and Susan S. Lang, opens. Patt and Long elucidate all aspects of cancer pain and suffering in their newly updated handbook. The authors argue that properly medicated patients are better able to resume active lives and marshal strength to fight their disease. Below are some questions Dr. Patt was kind enough to answer.
OUP: What is the most common misconception about pain?
Richard B. Patt, M.D.: There are so many and, like pain, they differ with the patient’s individual circumstances and cultural background. Probably most common is that pain must be endured, and unfortunately this is reinforced by its epidemic under treatment.
OUP: What simple things can friends and relatives do to help a cancer patient cope with depression?
Patt: Unfortunately, as a culture we don’t always know how to interact with people who are sick and regrettably, much needed contact is avoided. So, express your feelings and caring in an open, non judgemental way. Remember, this is not about you. Offer practical help, companionship and a ready ear including, if it is someone close to you, a willingness to accompany them to doctor visits.
OUP: What advice do you have for chronic pain sufferers, those whose pain may still be an uphill battle?
Patt: The best pain treatment is based on a careful evaluation of the person, the disease and the pain, and sometimes this is neglected in today’s fast-paced clinical settings. We say that the key to a favorable treatment outcome is find “the right drug” in “the right dose (and schedule)” in “the right person,” but sometimes we neglect the importance of finding “the right doctor.” It is hard work, but the quality of the patient: physician relationship is of paramount importance. The patient (and family members) can use the tips in our book to help cultivate such a relationship (by being informed and prepared with pain diaries, careful attention to following instructions, etc), but if the goal of establishing an optimal relationship with your doctor remains elusive, it may be time to seek either alternative or additional help by seeking referral to a pain specialist who is an expert in cancer pain or, if this has already been accomplished, seeking an alternate care provider (although you shouldn’t “burn your bridges” until you have actually seen and evaluated a replacement).
OUP: Do you believe in alternative medicine, yoga, meditation, hypnosis etc?
Patt: Yes, these adjunctive (helper) therapies will have varying degrees of importance for certain patients, depending on their backgrounds, abilities and belief systems. What is most important to remember is that they are typically added to a more conventional treatment plan, and should not be regarded as substitutes or shortcuts. Remember to inform your doctor of any alternative therapies you plan to employ, specifically if they involve dietary changes or supplements which may interact with other treatments.
OUP: What originally inspired you to write this book?
Patt: My motivations were multiple and complex. As a young anesthesiologist seeking career direction, the lack of attention and paucity of resources applied to the widespread undertreatment of cancer pain combined with its clear treatability struck me as tragic and, together with compelling and excellent mentors motivated my interest in the field, and the ultimate publication of this and several other groundbreaking books in the field.
Richard B. Patt, M.D. is the President and Chief Medical Officer of the Patt Center for Cancer Pain and Wellness in Houston.
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