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In order to implement more effective policies for cancer pain management, a better understanding of current practices is needed. Physicians managing cancer pain and patients experiencing cancer pain were randomly surveyed across 10 Asian countries to assess attitudes and perceptions toward cancer pain management. A total of 463 physicians (77.3% oncologists) with a median experience of 13 years were included. Medical school training on opioid use was considered inadequate by 30.5% of physicians and 55.9% indicated ≤ 10 h of continuing medical education (CME). Of the 1190 patients included, 1026 reported moderate-to-severe pain (median duration, 12 months). Discordance was observed between physician and patient outcomes on pain assessment with 88.3% of physicians reporting pain quantification, while 49.5% of patients claimed that no scale was used. Inadequate assessment of pain was recognized as a barrier to therapy optimization by 49.7% of physicians. Additional barriers identified were patients' reluctance owing to fear of addiction (67.2%) and adverse events (65.0%), patients' reluctance to report pain (52.5%), excessive regulations (48.0%) and reluctance to prescribe opioids (42.8%). Opioid use was confirmed only in 53.2% (286/538) of patients remembering their medication. Pain affected the activities of daily living for 81.3% of patients. These findings highlight the need for better training and CME opportunities for cancer pain management in Asia. Collaborative efforts between physicians, patients, policy makers, and related parties may assist in overcoming the barriers identified. Addressing the opioid stigma and enhancing awareness is vital to improving current standards of patient care.

Background: The objective of the ACHEON survey was to investigate current practices in chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) management in Asia, with a focus on opioid use. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey conducted in 10 Asian countries/regions was answered by 695 physicians managing pain (median experience: 15 years) and 1,305 patients experiencing CNCP within the preceding 3 months. Results: Overall, 89.3% of patients reported experiencing moderate-to-severe pain (median pain duration of 24 months). Continuing pain management education of ≤10 hours was reported by 71.1% of the physicians. While approximately 80% of physicians reported quantifying pain in practice, 65.0% of patients reported that no scale was used for their pain assessment. A significant proportion of physicians (78%) perceived discordance between their patients’ actual pain level and their own evaluation. Opioids were considered necessary for CNCP management by 63.6% of physicians. However, while non-opioid oral medication was prescribed to 66.8% of patients, only 4.4% of patients were prescribed opioids. CNCP was reported to affect activities of daily living for 80.8% of patients. Physicianperceived barriers to optimal therapy included patients’ reluctance to use opioids owing to fear of adverse effects (65.0%) and addiction (64.9%), while physicians’ reluctance to prescribe opioids (63.7%) was partially attributable to inadequate pain assessment (60.9%) and excessive regulation of opioids (57.3%). Conclusion: While the majority of patients surveyed reported moderate-to-severe CNCP, opioid use was suboptimal. Physician and patient education to address stigmas associated with opioid use may improve pain management practices in these countries.

Background ACHEON is the first and largest cross-sectional analysis conducted to determine the current practices of pain management across Asia. This survey included responses from patients suffering from cancer pain in 10 countries or regions (China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam). Methods Patients were ⩾18 years (>20 years for Korean and Taiwanese patients) with cancer pain in the last month. Patients were recruited by random selection from patient associations, patient referrals, online panels, hospital intercepts or doctor referrals. Patients were asked “yes” or “no” statements or questions with a five-point Likert scale ranging from “agree completely” to “disagree completely”. Findings 1190 cancer patients (32% male, 68% female) with a mean age of 54 years were included. Moderate-to-severe pain (median score 6 [IQR 3]) was reported by 86% of patients, while overall median duration of pain was 12 months (IQR 19). Although most patients (83%) were asked about pain by physicians at every visit, 49% of patients reported no scale was used for pain assessment. Opioid use was confirmed in 53% (285/538) of patients who remembered the type of pain medication prescribed. In all, 81% of patients claimed that pain affected their daily living (86%), and concentration and focus (87%). Furthermore, 78% of respondents were unemployed with 42% discontinuing work due to cancer pain. Among employed patients, 70% reported that pain affected work. Interpretation Cancer pain is a debilitating condition creating significant social and economic burden for Asian patients. In general, the patients surveyed had poor quality of life. Importantly, no scale was used for pain assessment in 49% of the patients. Opioids were prescribed to some patients only. This survey indicated a critical need to enhance cancer pain management via adequate assessment and therapy optimisation.

6531 Background: In order to implement more effective policies for cancer pain management, a better understanding of current practices and their effects on patients are needed. The ACHEON study was...