A case controlled, cross-sectional survey of joint and muscle aches, pains and stiffness in women with primary breast cancer.
Authors: Fenlon DR , Addington-Hall JM , Simmonds PD 
Published: December 2010

Abstract #1116

Background: The long term consequences of treatment for breast cancer are becoming increasingly important as both the incidence rises and survival improves. Joint and muscle aches, pains and stiffness are some of the most commonly described problems amongst women treated for breast cancer, yet there is little primary research focusing on this issue. Inevitably some of these symptoms will be caused by ageing, however there is some evidence to suggest that they are specific to or exacerbated by primary breast cancer treatment (Felson and Cummings, 2005). Clinical observations suggest that there may be specific patterns of pain with specific breast cancer treatments. No previous research has compared the prevalence and patterns of these symptoms to those in women of a similar age without cancer.&#x2028; Aims: 1.To determine the prevalence of joint and muscle aches, pains and stiffness in women after treatment for primary breast cancer and to compare with age matched controls.&#x2028; 2.To explore the patterns of these symptoms in different parts of the body.&#x2028; Methods: We recruited 247 women with breast cancer following primary breast cancer treatment and 272 without breast cancer attending for mammographic screening and benign breast clinics. They completed the Nordic musculoskeletal pain questionnaire, the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and the SF-36 general health questionnaire. Medical and demographic details were collected as well as information about factors which might affect these symptoms, such as menopausal status and weight.&#x2028; Results: Current pain was reported by 143(62%) women in the breast cancer group as opposed to 125(49%) in the non cancer group (p=.005). Current pain was significantly worse in the breast cancer group at a mean of 4.2 on a ten point scale (BPI) compared to 3.4 in women without breast cancer(p=.006), although interference to daily activities as a result of pain was not significantly increased. The hands (p=.02) and upper back (p=.003) were more likely to be reported as a site of pain in women with breast cancer, while neck pain was more common in women without breast cancer (p=.04). Hands (p=.02) and upper back pain (p=.008) also significantly affected women's activities in the last 12 months. Although pain in the feet was not reported as more common in women with breast cancer it was more likely to affect activity in the last 12 months (p=.01).&#x2028; Discussion: This study provides evidence that joint pains are more prevalent and more severe in women with breast cancer than women of the same age without breast cancer. Patterns of pain showed specificity to the hands and upper back, which were also worse than in women without breast cancer. The fact that women reported that foot pain was more likely to affect their activity suggests that although it was not more common, it was more troublesome in women with breast cancer. Further analyses will explore the impact of symptoms on quality of life.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 1116.