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Background and purpose: The incidence of cancer is increasing in everyone especially old people. Due to the hardly curable nature of cancer those who confront with its diagnosis are highly influenced by concerns and distress. Hence, a better understanding of such concerns will help health care staff to plan for effective care. This study was designed to investigate the main concerns of elderly patients confronting with diagnosis of cancer. Materials and methods: This qualitative research was performed in 10 patients exposed to the diagnosis of cancer in Sari, 2010-2011. Sampling was done purposefully and continued until data saturation. The data was collected through interview which was tape recorded and transcribed immediately. The data was then analyzed using content analysis. Results: The data was categorized into four main categories and 10 subcategories. The main categories included ‘feeling unable to cope with cancer’, ‘unable to pay for treatment’, ‘feeling of prolongation of the disease’, and ‘suffering from abnormal life’. The core category was ‘being dependent that was the main concern of elderly patients confronting with diagnosis of cancer. Conclusion: The findings showed that being dependent is the most significant concern of elderly which results in experiencing high amount of distress. Hence, health care staff and nurses should attempt to enhance independency among such patients.

Keywords: Being dependent, old people, cancer diagnosis

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