Opioid analgesics for cancer pain in primary care

doi:10.1136/dtb.2005.4329

Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 2005;43:9-12; doi:10.1136/dtb.2005.4329

Opioid analgesics for cancer pain in primary care

Relevant BNF section: 4.7.2

Each year, around 140,000 people die from cancer in Englandand Wales,¹ about one-quarter of them in the community.² Twocrucial goals in the palliative care of such people are to enhancequality of life and control symptoms. Of particular importance,more than two-thirds of patients with cancer will require opioidanalgesics to control pain.³ Since many patients with cancer,including those with advanced disease, aim to spend more timeat home rather than in hospital, the primary care team has animportant role in managing pain. The team, supported by communityclinical nurse specialists and specialist palliative care units,is often responsible for initiating analgesic therapy and forongoing assessment of patients' pain and analgesic requirements.Here we discuss key issues in using opioids for cancer-relatedpain in primary care.