title: Development of cancer pain relief and palliative care in the Philippines.
abstract: The article describes the development and progress of cancer pain relief and palliative care in the Philippines from 1986 onwards. The strategy employed was a stepwise progression that began with the establishment of government policy, followed by measures to improve availability and accessibility to oral morphine, and finally, continuing nationwide professional education. Key elements to successful implementation were the presence of a national cancer control programme; the active participation of the World Health Organization, the Department of Health, the Philippine College of Surgeons, and the Philippine Cancer Society Inc; and research development and utilisation. Data from three clinical studies are also presented, which showed the efficacy of the WHO Method of Cancer Pain Relief among samples of Philippine patients, and that cancer pain relief alone did not significantly improve overall quality of life, demonstrating the need for comprehensive palliative care.
authors.affiliation: University of Philippines.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Laudico
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D006291:Health Policy / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D009020:Morphine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D010166:Palliative Care; D010679:Philippines; D016730:Program Development; D011788:Quality of Life; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D009020:Morphine