Dear Colleague,

We are in the process of revising the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) recommendations on the use of opioids for cancer pain on behalf of the European Palliative Care Research Collaborative (EPCRC) and in collaboration with EAPC.

The EPCRC is a research consortium funded by the 6th Framework of the Commission of the European Communities, Research Directorate-general which has endorsed a triennial research program under the title of: “Improved treatment of pain, depression and fatigue through translational research”.

One of the work packages of the EPCRC program (WP 3.1) is specifically dedicated to cancer pain guidelines development.

The WP 3.1 first task will be to revise and updating the EAPC recommendations on opioid administration for cancer  pain. The new recommendations scope is summarized in the proposed interim title of “Evidence-based guidelines for the use of opioid analgesics in the treatment of cancer pain: the EAPC recommendations”
The guideline developments will include the consensus of an international group of experts.

The team working on the guidelines for the use of opioid analgesia in the treatment of cancer pain would welcome your views on what should be included in these guidelines.

A 'key points' questionnaire has been designed and circulated to an expert panel and the team would now like to have also your views by filling in the same questionnaire if you wish.

If you are a:

• Physician        
• Nurse           
• Psychologist                             
• Social worker     
• Volunteer        
• Other involved in palliative care

Please find the 'key point' questionnaire on www.epcrc.org under the work packages documents (WP3.1).

The completed form should be sent to  

You may also post your comments on the news forum.

Thank you for your valuable contribution!

Augusto Caraceni

Italy 13th of May 2008