Editorial: Psychosocial Drivers and Outcomes of the Cancer-related Pain Experience

Brennan Parmelee Streck^1*Rachel Altshuler¹Jeannine M Brant²Cecilie Buskbjerg³Kristine L. Kwekkeboom⁴

• ¹Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute (NIH), Rockville, United States
• ²City of Hope, Duarte, United States
• ³Department of Oncology, Aarhus Universitetshospital, Aarhus, Denmark
• ⁴School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States

Cancer-related pain, stemming from cancer and/or its treatments, is a widely reported symptom, with prevalence estimates ranging from 23-55%. 1 Severity and chronicity vary by cancer type, treatment, disease status, biological factors such as genetics, and psychosocial factors, and thus cancer pain represents a complex problem with multiple facets. 2 3 To prevent and treat cancer-related pain, we must develop interventions that acknowledge and capitalize on the interplay between these components.Interest in the relationship between psychosocial factors and cancer pain has persisted for decades because it provides an interventional target. By addressing psychosocial concerns, pain might be improved or prevented; likewise, effective pain management can improve psychosocial outcomes. Identifying, quantifying, and temporalizing relationships between psychosocial factors and cancer pain is a high priority for both the pain and psycho-oncology fields, as they are interrelated. This issue includes four breaking research studies that identify psychosocial drivers and outcomes of the cancer-related pain experience, as well as a novel intervention that targets their interplay.The first study examines how personality characteristics can affect the internalization and experience of cancer-related pain. Aho et al. describe how dimensions of personality interact with pain and psychological factors to affect quality of life.As cancer survivors cope with chronic pain, their acceptance of or accommodation to pain as a new part of their lives can affect their daily functioning, health, and goals. However, many report being undertreated. A second study by Slaghmuylder, Lauwerier and Pype reports a qualitative analysis to understand survivors' accounts of their pain trajectories and the care they received.In the third study, Kalges et al. explore biopsychosocial risk factors associated with pain among recently diagnosed pediatric patients. Pediatric cancer pain is uniquely challenging to assess and treat due to developmental gaps and limited life experience of a young patient. Understanding associated psychosocial factors, such as the ones in this study, helps identify at-risk children and informs future trials.Finally, LeBaron et al. address a clinical challenge in cancer pain: capturing a representative story of a person's pain experience between clinical visits. Because pain is highly dynamic, patients often struggle to summarize their pain experience over many days/weeks when asked for their pain level in clinic. LeBaron et al. discuss a novel remote health monitoring system designed to capture patients' and caregivers' pain experiences in real-time.Collectively, these papers advance knowledge of psychosocial drivers and outcomes of cancer pain. We hope you enjoy this issue.