Cancer-related loneliness context and mechanisms: A qualitative interview study of British adults
- 1School of Nursing, Allied and Public Health Professions, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK
Abstract
Background: Throughout Europe, one in three of the population will receive a cancer diagnosis during their lifetime. In the UK, it is almost 50%. Advances in early detection and treatment means people live longer with, or survive it. However, many experience loneliness at a prevalence exceeding level of the general population. Whilst well-documented, cancer-related loneliness is not well understood. This study examined context and mechanisms of cancer-related loneliness.
Methods: Qualitative interviews of adult participants with cancer (n = 18) were conducted. Participants were recruited within a region served by one English NHS trust. Participants were aged 27-80 years, 56% were female. Interviews were conducted between 2024-2025. Of participants, 3 reported that they had never been lonely, whilst 11 were lonely at the time of interview. Data were analysed using Framework Method.
Results: Participants described a desire to return to a life unimpeded by life‑threatening illness but sensed no opportunity of return. Life was described as fragmented and making sense of the experience was a priority. Cancer was perceived to constrain close relationships, and participants often reported a preference for being alone. Peer relationships with others who had cancer were regarded as essential sources of information and support.
Conclusions: Cancer represents an existential and ontological threat to the individual, constraining relationships. Contextual complexity exacerbates the experience of loneliness; internal resources, the social environment, and structural conditions interact to shape identity, agency, cognitive processing, and future orientation. Moderating factors, including recent diagnosis, poor prognosis, chronic symptoms, lacking support of a life partner, or experiencing additional life stressors influence loneliness.
Key messages: • A central mechanism of loneliness is deficit of self and relationally constrained meaning making, explaining how loneliness co-exists within family relationships and alongside apparent active coping.
• Facilitated opportunities that target making meaning from, or sense of, the experience may be important to prevent or recover from loneliness.
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BibTeX
@article{brownett2026cancerrelated,
title = {{Cancer-related loneliness context and mechanisms: A qualitative interview study of British adults}},
author = {T Brownett},
journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1509},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1509},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Cancer-related loneliness context and mechanisms: A qualitative interview study of British adults
AU - T Brownett
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - The European Journal of Public Health
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1509
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1509
AB - Background: Throughout Europe, one in three of the population will receive a cancer diagnosis during their lifetime. In the UK, it is almost 50%. Advances in early detection and treatment means people live longer with, or survive it. However, many experience loneliness at a prevalence exceeding level of the general population. Whilst well-documented, cancer-related loneliness is not well understood. This study examined context and mechanisms of cancer-related loneliness. Methods: Qualitative interviews of adult participants with cancer (n = 18) were conducted. Participants were recruited within a region served by one English NHS trust. Participants were aged 27-80 years, 56% were female. Interviews were conducted between 2024-2025. Of participants, 3 reported that they had never been lonely, whilst 11 were lonely at the time of interview. Data were analysed using Framework Method. Results: Participants described a desire to return to a life unimpeded by life‑threatening illness but sensed no opportunity of return. Life was described as fragmented and making sense of the experience was a priority. Cancer was perceived to constrain close relationships, and participants often reported a preference for being alone. Peer relationships with others who had cancer were regarded as essential sources of information and support. Conclusions: Cancer represents an existential and ontological threat to the individual, constraining relationships. Contextual complexity exacerbates the experience of loneliness; internal resources, the social environment, and structural conditions interact to shape identity, agency, cognitive processing, and future orientation. Moderating factors, including recent diagnosis, poor prognosis, chronic symptoms, lacking support of a life partner, or experiencing additional life stressors influence loneliness. Key messages: • A central mechanism of loneliness is deficit of self and relationally constrained meaning making, explaining how loneliness co-exists within family relationships and alongside apparent active coping. • Facilitated opportunities that target making meaning from, or sense of, the experience may be important to prevent or recover from loneliness.
SN - 1101-1262
SN - 1464-360X
ER -