A study published in the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine underscores the importance of provider-initiated communication surrounding pain management for cancer survivors. While many patients experience chronic pain, studies have shown that physicians may undertreat chronic pain. To better understand pain management among cancer survivors, Amy O’Regan, MPH, and colleagues conducted 13 semistructured interviews with a convenience sample of cancer survivors who had completed treatment for stage I-III breast, head/neck, lung, or colorectal cancer. Patients reported unrecognized chronic pain by their providers due to limitations in how pain is assessed and minimizing or invalidating pain by both physicians and patients. Study participants suggested providers ask more open-ended painrelated questions, help establish functional goals, and provide pain management options for patients. According to the researchers, shared decisionmaking and improved communication may address an important gap in survivorship care
