Is breast cancer pain a sign of recurrence?

“Pain”, this grinding goblin who visits people inadvertently, always We, inflict constant torment on our minds and bodies. According to epidemiological surveys, the incidence of chronic pain after breast cancer surgery can reach 20%-68%[1].

So, is chronic pain after breast cancer surgery a sign of recurrence?

0Source: Photo NetworkPMPS can occur months after surgery , and can last for many years, is a chronic pain that lasts more than 3 months beyond normal tissue healing after breast cancer surgery. It is mainly manifested as paresthesias in the nerve distribution areas such as chest, armpit, upper arm, shoulder and back, which may be aggravated by chest and shoulder movements. The frequency of onset is 4 times a week or more or more than 12 hours a day. MACRAE et al. showed that postoperative complications usually occur within several weeks after surgery, whereas recurrence and metastasis The resulting pain, such as the pain caused by malignant tumor infiltration, delays to 5 years later[2]. Therefore,chronic pain after breast cancer surgery is not a sign of recurrence.

02

Recognize pain , help prevent the fear of recurrence

According to statistics, 98% of breast cancer patients have dealt with “pain”< sup>[3]. For example, anxiety and fear of pain before surgery, postoperative pain syndrome, pain caused by life accidents, pain caused by disease after recurrence and metastasis, etc. When we don’t understand “pain”, we tend to expand the fear of “it”. In fact, “pain” is really not a devil. Modern medicine has many methods to help us relieve pain. Pain interventions for breast cancer patients are as follows:1) Three-step pain relief approach with painkillers: World Health Organization The recommended “three-step analgesic method” is the most widely used clinical pain relief program for cancer patients, and more than 90% of cancer patients’ pain can be relieved.

2) Nursing techniques to relieve postoperative pain after discharge [4]:

1. Bed rest maintain a relatively comfortable position.

2. When getting off the ground, first shake the head of the bed to about 45°, and then gradually turn the patient from the lateral position to the sitting position, and then slowly get out of bed .

3. When coughing, press the incision with your hand to prevent the increased abdominal pressure from pulling the wound and causing pain.

4.When turning over, press the incision with your hand to protect the incision and reduce the pain of the incision.

5. When the pain is unbearable, you can give painkillers as prescribed by your doctor.

6. Distraction methods can be used to relieve pain, such as playing soothing music, gently massaging the skin around the wound, talking more with people, watching TV, reading novels Wait.

3

What else can be done to prevent recurrence?

1. Insist on exercising and maintain a healthy routine – a healthy body is the “most basic” barrier to prevent recurrence

2. Regular review, pay attention to physical abnormalities – regular review is the “most effective” method to prevent recurrence

The first 3 after surgery Years is a peak of breast cancer recurrence. Regular review can determine whether there are signs of breast cancer recurrence[5], what physical abnormal signals should be paid attention to?

periodic review

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    <2 years, once/3 months after operation;

  • 2~5 years after operation, 1 once/half a year;

  • 5 ​​years to life after surgery, once a year.

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    Body Signs

    • Breast Mass: the main manifestation of recurrence, the mass is hard, and if it is found early, go to the hospital for review as soon as possible.

    • Bone pain: Bone pain for no reason, Especially in the pelvis, spine, thighs and other places, pay attention to whether bone metastasis occurs.

    • cough, shortness of breath: no recent cold but Often cough, expectoration, chest tightness and shortness of breath, lung metastasis needs to be considered.

    • Blurred vision, vomiting for no reason: Part of the brain Metastases present with blurred vision, nausea and vomiting before diagnosis.

    If there are other symptoms, it may also be the possibility of recurrence and metastasis. Don’t delay treatment because of luck or fear.

    3. Plan funds to prevent “economic distress” – financial security is the “most confident” foundation for preventing recurrence

    The average cost of breast cancer recurrence is more than 300,000 yuan. It is often difficult for ordinary families to afford such a large amount of expenses. So what guarantees can help us “save money” after recurrence?

    Medical Insurance

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    Basic medical insurance, which can cover 60%~80% of the treatment costs. When reimbursement, you need to prepare medical certificates, drug purchase invoices and other relevant certificates in advance . Note: Some drugs not covered by medical insurance cannot be reimbursed, and some drugs in medical insurance are reimbursed proportionally.

    recurrence risk > Breast cancer recurrence insurance is an insurance type specially developed to protect cancer patients. It is the economic guarantee after the first recurrence of breast cancer. It can be divided into payment type and reimbursement type.

    → Benefit type: no reimbursement certificate is required, and the patient is diagnosed with breast cancer recurrence. Payable.

    → Reimbursement type: Reimbursement based on medical certificates, basically covering the expenses that cannot be covered by medical insurance.

    If you want to know some information about “Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk”, you can scan the QR code to add Mijian Insurance for consultation.

    In conclusion, chronic pain after breast cancer surgery is not recurring Signs, even if there is pain, there is no need to panic, pain medication or other pain relief methods can help us relieve pain. Are you relieved to see this? “Postoperative pain” is not as scary as I imagined. Of course, in addition to recognizing pain and preventing the fear of recurrence, we can also reasonably apply other methods to prevent recurrence to add more protection to our body~ path> < g>The ninth phase of “Bethune · Advanced Breast Cancer Patient Education Public Welfare Project” will be broadcast tonight. This live broadcast will focus on “How to choose the appropriate treatment for breast cancer patients? , now 19:00~20:20 pmSee you all, click the button below to make an appointment!

    2022 National Cancer Awareness Week began Rights ,

    to learn more about health.

    Cover Image Source: Draft Design

    Editor-in-charge : Breast Cancer Mutual Helper

    Reference source:

    [1] Cursino DMCT , Valenza MM , Raposo MCF , et al. Prevalence of Post-Mastectomy Pain Syndrome and Associated Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Cohort Study[J]. Pain Management Nursing Official Journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses,2014,15(4):731-737.< span>[2] Jiang Lai, Zhu Xiaoyan, Zhang Jun, et al. Research progress on intervention strategies for postoperative pain syndrome after breast cancer [J]. Occupation and Health, 2021, 37(8):4.[3] Yi Subei, Wang Yan, Kang Na, et al. Investigation and countermeasures of pain relief in 54 breast cancer patients[J]. Modern Clinical Nursing, 2008.[4] Xu Jinling. Breast Analysis of pain and discomfort factors after cancer surgery and nursing countermeasures [J]. China Health Nutrition, 2013, 0(7): 1970-1970[5] Li Qiao. What to do if breast cancer recurs[J]. J]. Jiangsu Health Care, 2022(2):16-17

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