PUBLICATION: Community Health
DATE PUBLISHED: 7/1/08
AUTHOR: Allecia Vermillion
This feature story describes how doctors are using advanced medical treatment and procedures to not only control cancer, but also the pain and discomfort that are often a large burden in the healing process. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), the doctors emphasize not just treating the cancer, but treating the patient with medication and other pain management tools including pain nurses, nutritionists, pastoral care, psychiatrists and homeopathic practitioners. Dr. Joel Granick, medical oncologist at CTCA at Midwestern Regional Medical Center says that in order to effectively treat pain, a doctor should know the patients and their cancer, as well as remain aware of any drug interactions. While advanced stage cancer can bring more severe levels of pain, there seems to be as many ways to treat pain as there are types of discomfort and according to the article, the more holistic treatments, such as massage or mind-body therapy offered at CTCA can be helpful for patients going through treatment.
