Abstract

Adults and children with life-limiting diseases, such as cancer, benefit from palliative care, which is a patient-centered approach that enhances their quality of life. It addresses their physical, psychological, social and economic, legal, and spiritual problems from the time of diagnosis throughout their lives; and access to the medicine needed to treat moderate to severe, particularly opioid analgesics, is one of the major practical barriers to providing quality palliative care worldwide. Despite the various obstacles, projects all across the world are increasing access to palliative care treatments, including pain management.

Keywords: cancer, quality of life, opioid analgesics, pain management