The meaning of cancer pain.
Pain is a common symptom in cancer and one experienced both by patients and family caregivers. A neglected area of pain management is enhancing the individual's ability to derive the meaning from pain and suffering associated with illness. Because pain is often a metaphor for impending death, the meaning derived from pain may contribute to the ultimate meaning of death for the individual. This article provides case examples and analysis of the search for meaning in cancer pain.
Ferrell
B R
BR
Department of Nursing Research and Education, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010, USA.
Dean
G
G
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D001293:Attitude to Death; D004644:Emotions; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*