Previous data has shown the need for better cancer pain management. UK Cancer Deaths numbered 153,397 in 2004 (UK National audit Office reports 2000, 2004). A conservative estimate has suggested that 10% fail to receive effective relief by WHO guidelines; however, this is an underestimation given recent surveys (EPIC 2007, Valeberg, 2008) which show that, in reality, upwards of 30% of patients receive poor pain control, especially in the last year of their lives Thirty percent represents 46,020 patients “failing per year”. If we add in the figures for troublesome side-effects, then the present situation is even worse. This is a.
