The aim of the study was to assess the implications of perceived pain and social support for coping ability, levels of distress and quality of life in a group of patients with advanced cancer. A total of 98 patients who were undergoing palliative treatment and/or care and were aware of their cancer diagnosis, but not necessarily of their prognosis, consented verbally to participate. A questionnaire was administered to each participant comprised of scales to measure perceived pain intensity and to evaluate overall pain experience, to measure perceived and actual support given by each participant’s family, friends and health care professionals and to measure participants’ present coping attitudes and their perceived loss. Measures of anxiety, depression and quality of life were also included. A qualitative aspect to the study was included which asked participants which type of support they most appreciated and to describe what changes having cancer had made to their lives. Although perceived pain was significantly and positively associated with received and perceived support from health care professionals and tangible support from the family, results showed significant negative associations between the perception of pain and perceived appropriate social support from family and friends. Results also showed a deficit in perceived support from health care professionals for older participants. Overall evaluated pain experience was significantly and positively associated with items measuring psychological distress, loss and helplessness/hopelessness and was significantly and negatively associated with fighting spirit. Perceived satisfactory support given by family and health care professionals was significantly and negatively associated with overall perceived loss as well as with ‘negative’ coping attitudes. Perceived satisfactory family support was also significantly and positively associated with fighting spirit. These results and their implications are discussed.