Pain: impediments and suggestions for solutions.

Pain is a common and devastating symptom of cancer that can be effectively controlled with currently available pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies. Unfortunately, there continue to be reports that half of patients with cancer have inadequate relief of their pain with devastating effects on their quality of life and functional status. Systematic efforts to understand and eliminate the barriers to effective pain control are essential if we are to make pain assessment and management an integral part of cancer care. Documented impediments are related to health care professionals; patients, families, and the public; and the health care, reimbursement, and drug regulatory systems. A research agenda that focuses on closing the gap between current knowledge and practice is essential to assuring that people with cancer are no longer subjected to the agony of unrelieved pain.