Our bodies produce a natural painkiller known as endorphins, which help soothe pain and create a pleasant sense of tranquility.
Dr. Nguyen Minh Duc (Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital) states that even patients with the same type of cancer can have vastly different perceptions or tolerance levels for pain.
The majority of cancer patients do not fear death, but they fear pain. Pain is an intensely uncomfortable sensation perceived by the nervous system.
Patients receiving treatment at Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital (Branch 2 in Thu Duc City) – (Photo: DUYÊN PHAN).
Pain in cancer can result from the tumor itself or metastasis (infiltrating surrounding tissues, compressing the spinal cord, destroying bones); pain may also occur during surgical, chemotherapy, or radiation treatments; or when losing an organ or familiar shape (for example, a breast or a limb).
When patients become too withdrawn and saddened, as well as anxious and unable to sleep, it becomes necessary to add antidepressants and sedatives. However, as time goes on, the pain becomes increasingly complex, multi-focal, and more intense due to the deterioration of the patient’s health, immunity, and mental state.
When pain cannot be controlled by oral medications, interventional pain relief therapies, nerve blocks under ultrasound, CT scan, DSA, or HIFU guidance are among the new methods that help alleviate the patient’s pain.
Dr. Duc added that within our bodies, there are endogenous morphines known as endorphins, which are many times more powerful than morphine medication (pain relief). These endorphins are secreted by the brain to help alleviate pain, creating a pleasant sense of tranquility.
But how can we stimulate the brain to secrete this precious “elixir”? Dr. Duc lists the following: a healthy lifestyle, avoiding self-harm and harm to others, letting go of regrets; no alcohol, tobacco, or bitter chocolate; moderate exercise, meditation, living lightly, letting go, reducing stress and pressure.
For child cancer patients, they are often very innocent and cheerful, at peace, and do not fear pain or death. These children rarely need to use strong pain relief medications or undergo pain interventions like adults. As a result, patients can have very different perceptions or tolerances for pain even if they share the same experience of a type of cancer.
“Cancer patients need to understand that the tools to overcome cancer are fully equipped by nature within each person, which are the immune system, mental strength, and consciousness. Modern medicine always stands by the patient, and patients also need to awaken the intrinsic values or resources available to defeat pain and cancer,” Dr. Duc stated.
