Breast Cancer Pain

For women dealing with breast cancer, pain may be caused by the tumor pressing against nerves or bones (or other organs near the breast). Breast cancer pain may also be the result of treatment. In most cases, breast cancer pain can be managed using pain medications or alternative treatments (such as massage or acupuncture). Other methods of controlling breast cancer pain include radiation and the use of a nerve block. The key to minimizing or eliminating breast cancer pain is to communicate clearly with your healthcare team about the pain you're experiencing.

 

An Overview of Breast Cancer Pain

People with breast cancer may experience pain. Whether you have pain (and the amount of pain you have) may depend on the type of breast cancer, the stage (extent) of the disease, and your pain threshold (tolerance for pain).
 
For women with breast cancer, pain can be caused by a number of things, including:
 
  • A tumor that is pressing against nerves or bones, or other organs near the breast
  • Breast cancer treatment
  • Things not related to the cancer, such as headaches or muscle pain.
     

Options for Reducing Breast Cancer Pain

The patient's doctor or a specialist in pain control can relieve or reduce breast cancer pain in several ways, which include:
 
  • Pain medicine
  • Alternative treatments
  • Radiation
  • A nerve block.

 

For most women, medicine and alternative treatments are effective for reducing breast cancer pain.

 
Pain Medicine
Medicines can often relieve breast cancer pain. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for advice before you take any medicine for pain. Medicines are safe when they are used properly. You can buy some effective pain relievers without a prescription or doctor's order. These medicines are referred to as nonprescription or over-the-counter pain relievers. For other medications, a prescription from your doctor is necessary.
 
Although these medicines may make people drowsy and constipated, resting and taking laxatives can help. Also, many women worry that they will become addicted to pain medicine; however, this rarely occurs.
(Breast Cancer Pain Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD