Many women undergoing treatment for breast cancer will experience pain at some stage during their journey. For most, this pain can be effectively managed by the medical team around them. However, for a small group of women, pain can be acute and ongoing.
Pain can result from:
- breast cancer surgery, including breast reconstruction
- scar tissue
- radiotherapy burns
- side effects of some breast cancer drugs, eg mouth ulcers, muscle and joint pain, nerve damage in the hands and feet
- lymphoedema
There are many ways doctors can help you to manage pain, so don't be afraid to tell them if you are experiencing pain.
Tips for managing pain
- Reliable US website breastcancer.org recommends keeping a pain diary, recording:
- where in your body you feel pain
- the intensity of the pain
- the frequency of episodes
- how long each pain episode lasts
- what activities or times of day are associated with the pain (what activities make it worse or better; and when it flares or lessens)
- which pain medications you're taking (and how frequently)
- whether you get pain relief from a medication (and for how long)
- Take your pain diary to appointments and discuss your pain with your treating doctor.
- Your Breast Care Nurse may be able to help you with pain management if your pain is not too severe -- remember to tell her what pain medications you are already using.
- Some women use complementary therapies such as meditation, relaxation therapy, acupuncture or yoga to help them manage their pain.
- Regular exercise can also help to manage pain.
Pain clinics
There are a small number of specialised pain clinics and pain physicians located in some areas of Australia. If you feel your pain is not being managed by your medical team, you can ask for a referral to a pain specialist.
More information
- The breastcancer.org website provides useful information and tips on managing pain.
- Chronic Pain Australia has information and resources for people living with chronic pain.
