The experience of cancer pain in South African patients

Background: Most people with cancer experience pain caused by the disease and treatment. Aims: To describe the experience of cancer pain of South African patients. Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used; 20 (n= 20) participants were purposively selected and in-depth interviews were conducted. Inductive content analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings: Two themes and five subthemes were identified. The themes were pain as a unique multi-dimensional experience, and that the unmet needs of the patient can influence their experience of pain. Conclusion: The participants experienced total pain. Emotional pain, enhanced by loneliness and unmet information needs was experienced, and this was felt by participants as the worst kind of pain. Pain was mediated by means of medication that did not work well for all, support, compassionate care and hope that God would cure them and take the pain away. Recommendation: A person-centred approach to pain management is needed, especially in diverse countries, such as South Africa, to better understand the complexity and influence of culture, language and education on the pain experience and to guide individual pain management.