Breast cancer surgery patients to benefit from pain relief research

• Breast cancer patients more likely to suffer severe pain after surgery if they have history of ailments

• Patient’s psychological state can also affect recovery, study finds

The findings could be used as a simple way of identifying which breast cancer patients might benefit from extra pain relief or support before they have surgery, according to the researchers, based at the Universities of Warwick, Aberdeen and Dundee.

Dr Julie Bruce, from Warwick University who led the research team, 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.”

The study was was based on research involving 338 patients from across North Scotland who were questioned about the amount and type of any pain they were experiencing and whether they had taken pain killers a week after breast cancer surgery.

Of the women surveyed, 41 per cent reported moderate to severe pain at rest, and 50 per cent on movement, one week after their surgery. Women who felt more optimistic before their surgery were also found to suffer lower intensity pain in the week following surgery while those who had more extensive surgery to remove their lymph nodes were prone to more severe pain in the week after surgery.