What should I do if I have cancer pain? You can use the following questions as a guide when consulting your doctor: Where do you feel pain? How does it feel? Sharp or dull pain? Burning or throbbing sensation? Intermittent or constant? On a scale of 1 to 10 (minimum is 1), how intense is the pain? How long does it last? A few minutes? A few hours? A whole day? Can it be relieved in some way? Lie down? Hot compresses? Massage? Will treatment provide relief? Carry with you the medical file and all medications you are currently taking, including any pain medications you are already taking. Doctor’s management: The first step can be to remove or shrink the tumor through surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy for pain relief, with removal of the tumor being the treatment of choice. If these are not feasible or are pending surgery, there are prescription medications that can be considered for pain control at this time. Pain medications are divided into three categories: over-the-counter medications: mainly used for mild pain, fever or swelling. Common ones are acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, etc. Prescription drugs: Weak opioids: such as codeine. Strong opioids: such as fentanyl, methadone, morphine, etc. Opioids come in the form of oral liquids and pills, some of which can be taken directly under the tongue. If the medication cannot be taken, it can also be used intravenously, as a suppository or as a skin patch.