Persistent Pain After Breast Cancer Surgery in a Chinese Population

OBJECTIVE: Persistent pain after breast cancer surgery is an underrecognized problem. Self-reporting is uncommon in the Chinese community. METHOD: In this study, 200 women completed questionnaires assessing prevalence and associated factors of persistent pain after breast cancer surgery. RESULTS: 28.5% women reported persistent pain after surgery, 50.5% women reported sensory disturbance, and 4.2% reported phantom breast pain. The report of higher pain score was associated with a higher pain disability index score. DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that persistent pain after breast cancer surgery is a significant problem among Chinese women in Hong Kong and affects their quality of life.