Importance of pain management in cancer patients and survivors

Pain is a constant companion across the cancer patient management pathway, right from diagnosis to the remission stage. Studies have shown that between 33% and 40% of cancer survivors have reported suffering from chronic pain, due to suboptimal pain management.1,2 We have read with great interest the recommendations laid out in the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) clinical practice guidelines, advocating greater patient involvement in the cancer care continuum.3 Maio and colleagues highlight the critical need for adopting patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) along the entirety of cancer care trajectory ranging from treatment to survivorship.