IMAGINE waking up every morning knowing that even the simplest activities, such as getting out of bed, walking to the kitchen or preparing for work, could be painful. For millions of people, this is not an occasional inconvenience but an everyday reality.
Pain is something we all experience, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood aspects of health. While some recover quickly from an injury or illness, others endure pain for months or even years.
For cancer patients, pain may arise from the disease itself, its treatment or complications that persist long after treatment has ended. But pain is more than physical discomfort.
It can disrupt sleep, affect a person’s ability to earn a living and prevent them from enjoying precious moments with loved ones.
The question is simple: Are we doing enough to understand those living with pain?
When pain becomes an invisible burden
Unlike a broken bone or visible wound, persistent pain often goes unnoticed. A colleague struggling to concentrate, an elderly parent avoiding family outings or a cancer survivor unable to return to work may all be silently dealing with pain.
Sometimes, the fear of experiencing further pain becomes another obstacle. Someone who experiences back pain while bending, for instance, may gradually avoid movement altogether. Over time, reduced activity can weaken muscles, limit mobility and undermine confidence.
However, simply telling someone to exercise or endure the discomfort is not the answer.
Effective care begins with listening, identifying the underlying cause and helping patients understand which activities are safe. With appropriate medical guidance and rehabilitation, many can gradually regain movement and confidence.
Importantly, not all pain is the same. Pain caused by nerve damage, arthritis, injury or cancer may require different approaches to assessment and treatment.
What every patient deserves, however, is to be taken seriously.
Why managing pain is not always easy
People experiencing persistent pain are frequently advised to exercise, maintain a healthy lifestyle and manage their symptoms. While these recommendations are useful, they overlook an important reality: not everyone has the resources or support to follow them.
Consider a factory worker who cannot afford to miss work despite severe back pain, or an elderly person living far from rehabilitation services.
For these individuals, managing pain is not simply a matter of personal discipline. Financial pressures, limited healthcare access and inadequate understanding of pain can make recovery difficult.
The World Health Organisation estimates that 2.6 billion people worldwide have health conditions that could benefit from rehabilitation.
Although this figure does not represent pain prevalence, it highlights the enormous need for services that help people maintain mobility, independence and quality of life.
Malaysia must recognise that improving pain management requires more than prescribing medication. It also means ensuring patients receive understandable information, timely assessments and access to appropriate support.
Pain is everyone’s concern
Pain does not belong to any single disease or medical specialty. A person with diabetes may develop painful nerve damage, an older adult may struggle with aching joints, while an office worker may experience persistent neck or back pain.
Cancer patients and survivors face additional challenges. At the Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Cancer Centre (PKTAAB), Universiti Sains Malaysia, understanding pain is particularly relevant because cancer and its treatments can affect physical function, emotional well-being and quality of life.
Even after successful treatment, some survivors continue to experience discomfort that interferes with work, family responsibilities and daily activities.
Addressing these challenges requires collaboration among doctors, nurses, rehabilitation specialists, psychologists, researchers and public health professionals.
Rather than treating pain as an isolated symptom, healthcare providers must consider how it affects the whole person.
Building a society that understands pain
Malaysia has an opportunity to make pain education and management a stronger public health priority.
Healthcare professionals can improve communication and help patients understand their conditions. Researchers can investigate the experiences of Malaysian patients and identify gaps in existing services.
Employers can support workers experiencing persistent pain through safer working conditions and reasonable workplace adjustments.
Universities and healthcare institutions can also strengthen research collaborations, community education and rehabilitation partnerships.
Institutions such as PKTAAB can contribute through interdisciplinary research and public engagement, extending the benefits of better pain understanding beyond cancer care.
Families and communities have responsibilities too. Sometimes, the most meaningful first step is simply listening without dismissing someone’s suffering.
Pain may not always be visible, but its consequences are real. Our goal should not be limited to reducing a patient’s pain score.
It should also include restoring independence, rebuilding confidence and helping individuals participate meaningfully in everyday life.
We may never eliminate every form of pain. But we can reduce unnecessary suffering caused by misunderstanding, delayed treatment and inadequate support.
Pain is everywhere. Understanding, compassion and access to care should be everywhere too. ‒ Nov 5, 2026
The author is from the Department of Community Health, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (IPPT), Universiti Sains Malaysia, and the Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Cancer Centre (PKTAAB).
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image: Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio
