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Substance Abuse Issues In Cancer (PDQ®)
Patient Version   Health Professional Version   En español   Last Modified: 09/02/2005



Introduction






Overview






Prevalance Among the Physically Ill






Defining Terms for the Medically Ill






Risk in Patients Without Substance Abuse Histories






Risk in Patients With Substance Abuse Histories






Treatment of Patients With Substance Abuse Histories






Inpatient Treatment






Outpatient Treatment






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Changes to This Summary (09/02/2005)






Questions or Comments About This Summary






About PDQ



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Introduction

This patient summary on substance abuse issues in cancer is adapted from the summary written for health professionals by cancer experts. This and other credible information about cancer treatment, screening, prevention, supportive care, and ongoing clinical trials, is available from the National Cancer Institute. Substance abuse rarely develops in people who have cancer who do not have a history of drug or alcohol abuse. This brief summary describes substance abuse issues in patients with cancer who have a history of substance abuse, and addresses the use of opioid drugs to control cancer pain.

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