PAIN EVALUATION IN CANCER PATIENTS EVALUACIÓN DEL DOLOR EN PACIENTES ONCOLÓGICOS

ABSTRACT ABSTRACT ABSTRACT: study evaluated pain in cancer patients treated by a charitable association in a municipality of Minas Gerais State, Brazil in 2008. This exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative, population-based study queried 159 patients with cancer using a semi-structured form for identification data, and intensity and description of pain in the categories sensation, evaluation and emotion. The discovery of cancer was associated with pain in 55(34.6%) patients, while 105(66%) interviewees reported pain at some point in the pathology. Prominent in the category sensation were throbbing, cramping and stabbing. In the evaluation category, burning, stinging and heating. In the emotion category, pain was described predominantly as uncomfortable, tiring and wearing. We concluded that it is important to assess pain quantitatively and qualitatively in order to offer appropriate pain relief care.