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Predicting Severe Pain After Breast Cancer Surgery

TOP - Daily

In the first week following breast cancer surgery, women are up to 3 times more likely to have severe pain if they already experience other painful conditions, such as arthritis, low back pain, and migraine, according to a Cancer Research UK study published in the British Journal of Cancer.

Also key to pain intensity was the patients’ psychological state, with women who felt more optimistic prior to their surgery suffering lower pain intensity in the week after surgery. Patients who received extensive surgery to remove lymph nodes experienced more severe pain in the week following surgery.

Study leader Dr Julie Bruce, from the University of Warwick, said: “Women generally receive the same advice and treatment for pain relief following breast cancer surgery, but this study shows how factors such as a patient’s psychological state and whether they have a prior history of chronic pain can really affect their recovery.

“Importantly, doctors may be able to use this as a way of identifying women who need more intensive pain relief immediately after surgery. These results are particularly important because research shows that severe pain in the first week after surgery can significantly delay recovery.”

Each of the 338 study patients from across North Scotland was asked to fill out detailed questionnaires prior to surgery. Questions involved general health and whether patients experienced any existing pain. A week following surgery, patients were asked detailed questions regarding the amount and type of pain they were experiencing and whether they had taken pain medication.

Of the women surveyed, 41% described moderate to severe pain at rest, and 50% reported pain upon movement, 1 week following surgery. By this time, most patients receiving breast cancer surgery are discharged home.

Liz Woolf, head of Cancer Research UK’s information Web site, CancerHelp UK, said: “As well as being extremely important for a patient’s comfort, postoperative pain levels can have a significant impact on their treatment.…This is why it’s so important to be able to identify in advance those who may be in need of extra pain relief or support.”

Source: The University of Warwick.