Easing Common Pain Problems

Breast cancer and its treatments can cause a wide range of pains. This section looks at the most common ones and how to best find relief.

Talk with your doctor about any patterns of pain symptoms you have. Keep a pain diary and bring your notes with you to your medical appointments.

It also may help to talk about the types of pain that might result from the treatments you'll have. By being prepared for what could happen, you may be able to prevent certain pains or get faster relief from them.

If pain persists despite your doctor's interventions, don't assume that you have to endure it. Ask for a referral to a pain center, where a team of pain specialists can evaluate and treat your problems.

These are the types of common breast cancer-related pain discussed in this section:

• Inflamed mucous linings
• Underarm, breast, and chest wall pains
• Bone and joint pain
• Nerve pain
• Shingles
• Muscle pain
• Abdominal pain