Pain May Linger After Breast Surgery

In a new survey, almost half of women who had breast cancer surgery reported long-term pain afterward. For many, the pain lasted two or three years. The study was based on a survey of 3,253 Danish women. Women under 40 and women who had radiation or had more lymph nodes removed were more likely to report lasting pain. About half of those with pain said it was mild. Most of the rest had moderate pain. Symptoms of nerve damage, such as numbness or tenderness, also were common. Nearly 6 out of 10 women reported such problems. The study appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association. USA Today wrote about it November 11.