Research suggests that many breast cancer patients report pain during and following treatment. Pain is most frequently reported in the breast, followed by the axilla (armpit), the arm and the side of the trunk.
Pain in breast cancer survivors can be caused by a number of factors, including (1) possible effects of the tumor itself (e.g. nerve injury associated with tumor growth); (2) effects of local breast cancer treatment, such as scarring or nerve damage from surgery or radiation therapy; and (3) possible effects of systemic treatments, including chemotherapy- related neuropathy (More Info) and aromatase inhibitor-related muscle and joint pain.
Physical therapy and massage therapy can help to reduce pain related to breast cancer treatment.