Background: Cancer-related pain is a major problem worldwide. Studies indicate that patients do not get an adequate pain relief. This creates a large suffering and results in major problems for the patient and their families. In order to minimize this kind of suffering caregivers need to understand how cancer-related pain is experienced by these patients, what it does to them and how it impacts their daily life.  

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe patients´ experience of living with cancer-related pain.

Method: The method used for this study was a qualitative literature study. Nine articles from 2002 to 2012 and from five different countries were analyzed.

Results: The results of this study are presented in four main themes and ten subthemes. The main themes were: A feeling of powerlessness; Fears that limit; A change in daily life and Seeking for meaning and an end to the suffering. All themes and subthemes give a description of patients´ experience of living with cancer-related pain.

Conclusion: It is a great suffering to have cancer and it is even a greater suffering experiencing pain on a daily basis. Despite this, some patients still could see their situation as something positive and wellbeing was created. The nurses’ role in this kind of situations is essential in order to understand what the patient is experiencing, how it impacts on the patient and its life and how wellbeing can be formed.