Cancer pain guidelines designed to change attitudes. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Bethesda, Maryland.

Millions of Americans suffer needlessly from the pain associated with cancer--both from growth of the tumor or tumors within the body, and from various treatment procedures, such as chemotherapy and surgery, to control the cancer. A clinical practice guideline released in March by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research says most suffering could be avoided if cancer pain were treated more aggressively.