Older people’s experiences of cancer pain: a qualitative study

Dunham, Margaret; Allmark, Peter; Collins, Karen

Abstract

Aim
To consider how the older person constructs the experience of cancer pain and how this is informed by expectations and experiences.

Method
Nine older people with cancer were asked to keep diaries and subsequently interviewed about their experiences of living with cancer and pain.

Findings
Five themes were identified – better to be old than to be dying with cancer, maintaining control and independence, loss of identity in adapting and grieving for a former self, dislike of analgesia and denial of pain. The themes give a perspective on the embodied meaning of ‘pain’ in daily life.

Conclusion
Clinical pain assessment alone, without listening to people’s pain stories, does not always identify pain or problems with daily living. Appreciation of the individuality of the lived experience of cancer can advance our understanding of pain and end of life care.

Citation

Dunham, M., Allmark, P., & Collins, K. (2017). Older people’s experiences of cancer pain: a qualitative study. Nursing Older People, 29(6), 28-32. https://doi.org/10.7748/nop.2017.e943

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 16, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Jun 30, 2017
• Publication Date: Jun 30, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jul 14, 2021
• Journal: Nursing Older People
• Print ISSN: 1472-0795
• Electronic ISSN: 2047-8941
• Publisher: RCN Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 28-32
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.7748/nop.2017.e943
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2786849