The voices of breast cancer survivors with chronic pain: A qualitative thematic analysis of patients’ challenges to pain management

Abstract

Objectives: Recognizing the limitations of the current pain therapies, the study aimed to explore the unique needs and obstacles related to pain management in Breast Cancer Survivors (BCs) with Chronic Pain (CP). Methods: 4 focus groups were conducted involving 17 BCs with CP (Mage = 51, SD = 7.99) with varying pain intensities. Thematic analysis was applied to transcribed discussions. Findings: Three key themes emerged: (1) Challenges to pain management, including “Doctor-patients communications barriers” and “Contextual and societal barriers”; (2) Self-management needs, encompassing “Psycho-social support,” “Care-related needs,” and “Shared decision-making”; (3) Treatment preferences and perceptions of pain management, with subthemes like “Treatment preferences,” “Institution preference,” and “Decision role perception.” Conclusions: This study emphasizes tailored support systems targeting patient hesitancy, countering pain normalization, and addressing healthcare providers’ attitudes. It underscores the importance of integrating caregiver and peer support. Findings advocate refining healthcare provider education, adopting a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach, and strategically incorporating eHealth tools into such care.