Abstract
BACKGROUND: Studies on cancer patients show a moderately high relevance of perceived stigmatization. However, no studies have explored the perceived stigmatization in relation to cancer-associated pain. In this work, we analysed the relationship between pain and perceived stigmatization across a large sample of four major cancer entities. METHODS: Quantitative data of 858 patients (45.6% women, mean age 60.7 years) with breast, bowel, lung and prostate cancer were evaluated in a register-based, bicentric study. Perceived stigmatization was measured using the social impact cale (SIS-D), including a total score and four subscales. Pain was assessed with the brief pain inventory (BPI). The data were analysed using correlation und multiple regression with various sociodemographic and medical predictors. RESULTS: Of all 858 cancer patients, those with lung and breast cancer were characterized by the greatest pain. The intensity of the pain was a predictor of the perceived stigma in patients with breast and colorectal cancer. In addition, younger age was also a predictor for perceived stigmatization. A good quality of life resulted as a protective factor. The final models showed a high goodness of the fit (corr. R(2) > 0.35), except for the lung cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the assumption that the experience of pain can have an impact on the perceived stigmatization of cancer patients. Depression might influence the perceived stigmatization. Therefore, this group of patients should receive special attention and psycho-oncological care in clinical practice. Further research on the course and mechanisms of action of pain-related perceived stigmatization is also required.