A barrier to adequate cancer-related pain treatment in Türkiye: Awareness of algology

Objectives: Cancer-related pain negatively affects the quality of life of most patients with cancer. As pain can impact sleep, function, and sociability, the adequate treatment of cancer pain is of great importance. The present study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the awareness of algology and its effects on pain management among patients with cancer in Türkiye.
Methods: This study was conducted at the Oncology Outpatient Clinic and Chemotherapy Unit of Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital between November 2023 and April 2024. Patients’ awareness of algology, factors affecting awareness, and the influence of algology clinics on pain management were assessed using an 11-item questionnaire.
Results: The awareness of algology among cancer patients was 31%, although this percentage increased with greater pain intensity and longer disease duration. In this study, 78.6% of participants reported experiencing pain. Additionally, 91.1% of patients receiving treatment at an algology clinic acknowledged the pain management as adequate. After receiving brief information about algology, 82.5% (n=211) of the patients who were previously unaware of this discipline reported that they would consider visiting an algology clinic for pain treatment.
Conclusion: Adequate pain management is of great importance to cancer patients and their caregivers; however, in Turkey, patients lack sufficient information about algology, which may pose a barrier to effective pain treatment.