Effective treatment of cancer pain should, in view of the considerations just presented, include efforts to modify the emotional pain of terminal illness (42). Brief psychotherapy, where it is successful in lifting a patient's morale, will often contribute to this goal (43). Techniques such as education, reassurance, and support
may have a favorable influence on the patient's experience of pain. The therapeutic relationship may become focused on this critical aspect of the patient's experience and may, in turn, be influenced by it (34). Consequently, pain should be made an object of frank and explicit communication leading to mutually understood and realistic objectives(4). It is hoped that the patient will see himself as an active and respected participant in the joint endeavor of pain control and will view his physician as willing to extend himself to achieve this goal.