Misconceptions on use of opioids leave patients in pain

As the incidence of cancer has risen in China over the past few decades, wide misconceptions about alleviating the pain it can bring have compromised the prospects of recovery and the quality of life of Chinese with the disease, medical experts say.

They made the comments in Beijing this month as a charity program for those suffering with cancer pain was established. It aims to raise public awareness on cancer pain as a specific illness that needs to be treated, and to provide quality care and support to patients and their families.

The program was initiated by organizations that do research on oncology and pain treatment, including the Chinese Association of Oncology, and the Chinese Association for the Study of Pain.