Purpose

Explore factors influencing pain management among female breast cancer survivors aged 65+ years with moderate to severe pain based on a score of 4 or greater on the 0-10 numeric rating scale.

Design

Qualitative descriptive study.

Methods

We interviewed 21 purposefully sampled women aged 65+ years who experienced moderate to severe pain. Researchers coded interview transcripts for factors affecting study participants' pain management experiences.

Results

Pain management facilitators included patient-centered interactions with care teams and reliance on psychosocial assets. Challenges included ineffective care team interactions and participants' negative perceptions of opioid analgesia. Other factors included pain attributed to cancer treatment, pain management plan adherence, and psychosocial influencers.

Conclusions

With regard to this sample, patient-centered communication and pain management education help female breast cancer survivors aged 65+ years manage their pain. Mitigation of opioid stigma and undermanaged painful comorbid conditions could further optimize pain management. Further research on the effects of breast cancer treatment, level of adherence to pain management recommendations, and psychosocial influences on pain management is needed.

Clinical implications

Providing contact information for care team members during and after clinic hours facilitates open communication, including timely reporting of new and undertreated pain. Collaborating with the patient and care team on a clear pain management plan and establishing parameters for when to notify the care team empower patients to optimize management of their pain. Verifying patients' understanding of prescribed analgesia and management of side effects and providing education as needed may reduce negative perceptions of opioid analgesia.