While 90 to 95 percent of patients receive adequate pain control using the WHO guidelines, there are still 5 to 10 percent of patients who do not achieve adequate pain control. Certain direct interventions by specialists can modify or block pain information from reaching the central nervous system. These invasive, interventional therapies require the expertise and skills of a pain specialist. Morphine remains the gold standard of medical practice. Morphine and other options can be taken in a variety of ways.
Most methods control pain very effectively.
A lot of cancer patients want to avoid taking opioids. Many fear that they will become addicted to these medications, and some feel that narcotics should be used only as a last resort for fear that they will not be effective when they are really needed. Doctors may also share some of the myths about opioid medications. These myths form barriers to good and effective relief of cancer pain. These myths need to be understood and addressed by patients and their caregivers.