Acceptance of pain: A preliminary study in advanced cancer patients

Background. Cancer pain is related to impaired physical and psychosocial functioning. Pain acceptance, the willingness to act free from pain-related restrictions, is related to better physical and psychosocial functioning among people with chronic nonmalignant pain. The correlates of pain acceptance have not yet been examined among people with pain due to advanced cancer.;Methods. 99 advanced cancer patients with pain attending outpatient clinics at Princess Margaret Hospital were recruited for this cross sectional study. Demographic, disease, and treatment related information was collected.;Results. 69 participants returned questionnaire packages. Backward multivariate linear regression revealed greater Activity Engagement was related to lower pain interference and depression. Greater Pain Willingness was related to lower pain catastrophizing and having no children.;Conclusions. Similar to chronic nonmalignant pain patients, cancer pain acceptance was related to better psychological functioning. Cancer pain acceptance was not related to physical functioning or subjective social factors. Implications for treatment are discussed.;Primary objective. To identify the correlates of cancer pain acceptance.