Topic Overview

Not all forms of cancer or cancer treatment cause pain. If pain occurs, many treatments are available to relieve it. If your health professional has given you instructions or medicines to treat pain, be sure to follow them. Home treatment may help to reduce pain and improve your physical and mental well-being. Be sure to discuss any home treatment you may use with your health professional.

For more information, see the topic Cancer Pain.

Medicine you can buy without a prescription

Try an over-the-counter medicine to help treat your fever or pain:
Acetaminophen, such as Tylenol or Panadol Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin Naproxen, such as Aleve or Naprosyn Aspirin, such as Bayer or Ecotrin

Safety tips

Be sure to follow these safety tips when you use an over-the-counter medicine:

Carefully read and follow all directions on the medicine bottle and box. Do not use more than the recommended dose. Do not take a medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it in the past. If you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take it. If you are or could be pregnant, call your doctor before you take any medicine. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 unless your doctor tells you to.

Other home treatments for pain include:

• Heat and cold packs, to relieve painful areas of the body.
• Stretching and range-of-motion exercises, to maintain strength, flexibility, and mobility.

You may wish to try one of the alternative therapies listed below. Be sure to talk with your health professional about which therapies might be best for you. For more information, see the topic Complementary Medicine.

• Aromatherapy
• Biofeedback
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Guided imagery
• Healing touch
• Hydrotherapy
• Hypnosis
• Magnet therapy
• Massage
• Meditation
• Yoga

Related Information

• Cancer Pain
• Cancer: Controlling cancer pain
• Cancer: Controlling nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy

Credits

Author	Bets Davis, MFA
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Michael Seth Rabin, MD - Medical Oncology
Last Updated	October 30, 2009