The majority of patients in intermediate or advanced stages of cancer suffer moderate to severe pain. More than 800,000 new cases of cancer are diagnosed each year in the U.S., and some 430,000 people die. Many chronic pain conditions affect older adults. But ask any resident of housing for retired persons if there are any tic sufferers around and you are sure to hear of cases. So the fact that Americans are living longer contributes to a widespread and growing concern about pain.
Neuroscientists share that concern.
At a time when people are living longer and painful conditions abound, the scientists who study the brain have made landmark discoveries that are leading to a better understanding of pain and more effective treatments. Within the last decade both the International Association for the Study of Pain and the American Pain Society have been established and grown into flourishing professional organizations attracting young as well as established research investigators and practicing physicians. This document was provided by the National Institutes of Health .