Determinants of coping with pain in cancer patients

Introduction. It has been assessed that around 75% of cancer patients suffer from pain symptoms at one of the stages of the disease. Treatment of pain is patient’s inalienable right. Pharmacological therapy effectively eliminates pain in 80–90% of patients. Pain coping strategies prove helpful.

Aim. An attempt to alienate determinants of coping with pain in cancer patients.

Material and methods. The research covered 102 patients hospitalized at wards of oncological surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The research is based on the proprietary questionnaire of the survey, Acceptance of Illness Scale, Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, The Pain Coping Strategies Questionnaire.

Results and conclusions. In the studied group the patients predominantly deal with the pain by means of prayer/hope, in fewer cases by declarations that they are able to cope and diverting attention. They show median values of the acceptance of the disease and the feeling of own efficacy. Analysis revealed that a correspondence exists between the acceptance of the disease and a catastrophic approach as a pain coping strategy, also between the acceptance of the disease, the assessment of managing own pain and the assessment of the potential of its alleviation. A correlation exist between all of the strategies of coping with pain and the assessment of managing own pain, the possibility of its alleviation and the feeling of own efficacy. Higher feeling of own efficacy gives the patients an elevated estimation of own pain management and a greater assessment of the possibility of lowering own pain.