Journal Article

DZNE-2025-00384

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Assessing the Relationship of Different Levels of Pain to the Health Status of Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Álvarez-Salvago, F. ; Figueroa-Mayordomo, M. ; Molina-García, C. ; Pujol-Fuentes, C. ; Atienzar-Aroca, S. ; de Diego-Moreno, M. ; Medina Luque, J. (Last author)DZNE*

2025
MDPI Basel

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.3390/life15020177

Abstract: Purpose: This study investigated the relationship between different pain levels in the affected arm and health status in long-term breast cancer survivors (LTBCSs) and identified predictors of pain at this stage of long-term survivorship. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 80 participants categorized LTBCSs by pain levels in the affected arm into three groups: no pain (0-0.99), mild pain (1-3.99), and moderate to severe pain (4-10). Variables assessed at least 5 years since diagnosis include pain in the non-affected arm, pain interference, cancer-related fatigue (CRF), physical activity (PA) level, fitness condition, mood state, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Results: A total of 36.25% of LTBCSs have no pain, 30% have mild pain, and 33.75% have moderate to severe pain. Furthermore, pain presence was associated with increased pain in the non-affected arm, pain interference, CRF, mood disturbances, and physical inactivity, as well as a decreased HRQoL (all p < 0.05). Regression analysis found 'upset by hair loss', CRF 'affective domain', 'dyspnea', and 'alcohol consumption' as significant predictors of higher levels of pain in the affected arm (r2 adjusted = 0.646). Conclusions: A total of 63.75% of LTBCSs continue to experience mild to moderate to severe pain in the affected arm, negatively impacting their physical, mental, and emotional health status, with increased pain severity ≥5 years beyond cancer diagnosis. 'Upset by hair loss', CRF 'affective domain', 'dyspnea', and alcohol consumption collectively explain 64.6% of the affected-arm pain level in LTBCSs.

Keyword(s): breast cancer ; long-term survivorship ; pain ; quality of life ; rehabilitation

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Translational Brain Research (AG Herms)

Research Program(s):

1. 352 - Disease Mechanisms (POF4-352) (POF4-352)

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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