An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experiences of older people self-managing cancer pain at home.

Cancer is predominantly an illness affecting older people, yet there is a higher risk of under-treated pain in this age group. Many older people are required to self-manage their cancer pain at home but this is currently an under-researched and poorly understood area. We explored the experiences of older adults who self-manage cancer pain at home using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analytic approach. Eight older adults (aged 72-85 years) were recruited from a hospital in the United Kingdom and interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Themes which emerged from the analysis suggest the self-management of cancer pain involves a perceived loss of control followed by a temporal process of gaining control over pain. Subordinate themes reflected the physical and social restrictions caused by pain; leading to fears regarding familial burden. Participants utilized inner strengths, past experiences, and social support to cope. Successful self-management of cancer pain in late life is conceptualized utilizing a positive psychology framework.