The aims of these guidelines are to provide guidance to health-care providers (i.e. the end-users of these guidelines: physicians, nurses, pharmacists and caregivers) on the adequate relief of pain associated with cancer. They also assist policy-makers, programme managers and public health personnel to create and facilitate appropriately balanced policies on opioids and prescribing regulations for effective and safe cancer pain management. Proper and effective stewardship of opioid analgesics in the cancer treatment setting is essential to ensure the safety of patients and to reduce the risk of diversion of medicine into society. The goal of cancer pain management is to relieve pain to a level that allows for an acceptable quality of life

For medical students and doctors

This publication aims to provide examples of better palliative care practices for older people to help those involved in planning and supporting care-oriented services most appropriately and effectively. Examples have been identifi ed from literature searches and from an international call for examples through various organizations, including the European Association of Palliative Care and the European Union Geriatric Medicine Society. Some examples consider how to improve aspects within the whole health system; specifi c smaller examples consider how to improve palliative care education, support in the community, in hospitals or for specifi c groups of people, such as people in nursing homes and people with dementia and their families. Some examples await rigorous evaluation of effectiveness, and more research is needed in this fi eld, especially the cost–effectiveness and generalizability of these initiatives

Series Quality of Life for Children with Cancer: Modules on Paediatric Palliative Care. Module 5: Caring for the Caregiver

Quality of Life for Children with Cancer Series: Modules on Paediatric Palliative Care. Module 8: End-of-Life Care

Quality of Life for Children with Cancer Series: Modules on Paediatric Palliative Care. Module 7: Spirituality

Quality of Life for Children with Cancer Series: Modules on Paediatric Palliative Care. Module 1: Overview of paediatric palliative care

Quality of Life for Children with Cancer Series: Modules on Paediatric Palliative Care. Module 4: Symptom Management