Pain and breast cancer among women from the ELIPPSE cohort

Chronic pain is one major determinant of quality of life among cancer survivors. It is especially true for breast cancer survivors, who frequently endure iatrogenic pain. We conducted in-depth interviews with 25 women recruited in the ELIPPSE cohort, 24 months after their diagnosis, and several months after the end of their treatment. These women gave various meanings to chronic pain (a transient condition, necessary for recovering, or a new and permanent condition) that contribute to 'normalize' pain and to prevent its alleviation. Moreover, health professional sometimes fuel this 'normalization' of pain. Our interviews also showed how participants enduring chronic pain tried to relieve it by adjusting their daily activities and gestures. Finally, our results emphasize both the lack of information given to patients concerning iatrogenic pain and the existing ways to manage it, and the lack of specific training for health professionals.