Update of the Australian Guideline for the Management of Cancer Pain in Adults.

AIMS: The Cancer Council Australia Cancer Pain Management in Adults Clinical Guideline aimed to inform timely, evidence-based guidance for managing cancer-related pain.

METHODS

The ADAPTE approach for guideline updates was adopted. Source guidelines were selected following the AGREE II criteria. The target population was adults with chronic cancer-related pain. The interventions were screening, assessment, and management of cancer-related pain. Target users and settings were all health professionals caring for adults with cancer in any healthcare setting. Outcomes are reduction in cancer-related pain.

RESULTS

Recommendations were mostly adopted directly from source guidelines and the recommendation strength reflected those of the source guidelines. Those which were developed de novo were either based on Level 1 evidence or consensus within the context of a documented need in the Australian setting.

CONCLUSIONS

The Cancer Council Australia guideline for managing cancer pain in adults contains evidence-based recommendations to guide appropriate evidence-based care.