Living with chronic pain: Perceptions of breast cancer survivors Journal Article


Authors: Bao, T.; Seidman, A.; Li, Q.; Seluzicki, C.; Blinder, V.; Meghani, S. H.; Farrar, J. T.; Mao, J. J.
Article Title: Living with chronic pain: Perceptions of breast cancer survivors
Abstract: Purpose: Breast cancer treatments may lead to chronic pain. For some breast cancer survivors (BCS), this experience can develop into the perception of living with chronic pain. The majority of BCS are postmenopausal and have hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer requiring aromatase inhibitors (AIs). Neither the prevalence nor risk factors associated with the perception of living with chronic pain among this population are well defined. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among postmenopausal, HR+ BCS who previously took or were currently taking AIs. The primary outcome was patients’ perception of living with chronic pain over the past 6 months. We measured pain and demographic and clinical variables. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate risk factors associated with the perception of chronic pain. Results: Among 1280 participants, 167 (13%) reported having the perception of living with chronic pain before their breast cancer diagnosis; 426 (34%) reported this perception after completion of non-hormonal cancer treatment. Seventy-eight percent of BCSs reported experiencing at least one type of treatment-related pain within the past 7 days, with 23% experiencing at least three types. The most common types of pain were AI-induced musculoskeletal pain (49%) and pain at the surgery or radiation site (31%). Younger age (< 56), BMI > 25, and the perception of living with chronic pain before diagnosis were risk factors associated with the perception of living with chronic pain. Conclusions: One in three postmenopausal, HR+ BCS considered themselves to be living with chronic pain. Effective interventions to reduce chronic pain are needed. © 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Keywords: breast cancer; chronic pain; aromatase inhibitors; musculoskeletal pain
Journal Title: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Volume: 169
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0167-6806
Publisher: Springer  
Date Published: 2018-05-01
Start Page: 133
End Page: 140
Language: English
DOI: 10.1007/s10549-018-4670-9
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 29350307
PMCID: PMC6147242
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 May 2018 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Andrew D Seidman
    318 Seidman
  2. Victoria Susana Blinder
    111 Blinder
  3. Ting   Bao
    76 Bao
  4. Jun J Mao
    242 Mao
  5. Qing Susan Li
    82 Li