Study Examines Pain Related to Breast Cancer Surgery 1 Year After Procedure

A recent study looks at certain factors associated with pain that that come 1 year after breast cancer surgery.

Study findings show that more than 800 women who have undergone surgery for breast cancer reported some pain post 12 months after surgery. The study examines factors associated with pain that may include chronic preoperative pain, chemotherapy, preoperative depression and pain in the area that's been operated on.

"Persistent pain following breast cancer treatments remains a significant clinical problem despite improved treatment strategies. Data on factors associated with persistent pain are needed to develop prevention and treatment strategies and to improve the quality of life for breast cancer patients," according to background information in the article, according to a press release.

Lead study author Tuomo J. Meretoga, M.D., Ph.D., of Helsinki, Finland, and colleagues examined the prevalence and severity of the factors related to chronic pain following breast cancer surgeries and treatments.

For the study, researchers included 860 patients younger than 75 years with nonmetastasized breast cancer treated at the Helsinki University Central Hospital in 2006-2010. For 12 months, a questionnaire was sent to patients after surgery based on assessments of presence and intensity of pain.

At 12 months post surgery, findings showed that 34.5 percent of the patients reported no pain, 49.7 percent showed mild pain, 12.1 percent felt moderate pain and 3.7 percent experienced serve pain.

"These findings may be useful in developing strategies for preventing persistent pain following breast cancer treatment. To identify patients who would benefit from preventive interventions, a risk assessment tool is needed," the authors note, via the release.

 More information regarding the study can be found via JAMA.