Symptoms of total pain experienced by older people with advanced gastrointestinal cancer receiving palliative chemotherapy.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Little is known about concurrent physical, psychological, social and spiritual distress experienced by older patients during early stages of advanced cancer while receiving life-prolonging treatment. Drawing on the concept of total pain, this study explored the multi-faceted symptoms of pain in older patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer while receiving palliative chemotherapy.

Methods

A total of 14 in-depth interviews with seven participants were conducted, one interview at the beginning and one after completion of chemotherapy. Participants were ≥70 years, diagnosed with advanced gastrointestinal cancer and receiving palliative chemotherapy.

Results

Thematic analysis revealed four themes: variability and inevitability of physical pain, ways of cop

SUBMITTER: Jespersen E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9788272 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature