Psychological characteristics of chronic pain in cancer patients and guidelines for treatment

We have carried out a study on the differences between cancer and non cancer patients in their psychological response to chronic pain We have assessed a sample of 118 patients with chronic pain. A part of this sample has cancer and the rest other diseases. We have studied the variables of coping strategies, locus of control and the level of psychological distress caused by pain, We have found differences between both groups: cancer patients have a higher tendency to accept their disease and avoid fighting; cancer patients express less frequently their emotions and complaints than non cancer patients; Cancer patients show a higher degree of distress than no cancer patients. This difference is clearer when cancer patients have higher levels of studies and are aware of their diagnoses. We propose some guidelines for the psychological treatment of chronic pain in cancer patients.