Assessment of pain prevalence in cancer patients undergoing anticancer treatments and in cancer survivors after completion of anticancer treatments: A French nationwide cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Pain is a common and disabling symptom of cancer and its treatment. This study aimed to provide an update on the prevalence, characteristics, and impact of pain on quality of life (QoL) in cancer patients and survivors in France. Data were collected using self‐assessment questionnaires as part of a nationwide web‐based survey conducted between January and March 2023. Pain was reported by 44.7% of the study population (n = 1029), including by 49.2% (95% CI [44.8; 53.6]) of cancer patients (n = 255/518) and 40.1% (95% CI [35.8; 44.5]) of cancer survivors (n = 205/511). Chronic pain was more prevalent among survivors (99.0%) than patients (87%), but no between‐group differences in the prevalence of neuropathic pain (66.8% vs. 67.5%, respectively) or other pain characteristics (pain intensity, location, etc.) were observed. Pain had a negative impact on QoL in both groups, but the impact on global health status, functioning, symptom severity, and depression was greater among cancer patients. Analgesic use was also more frequent among patients than survivors. Breast cancer, being overweight or obese, and having a poorer global health status were identified as main factors increasing the likelihood of pain. Pain therefore remains a common symptom among cancer patients and survivors in France. Further improvements to management are needed, including strategies to target chronic and neuropathic pain, and the high frequency of pain associated with breast cancer. Multimodal interventions to improve global health status, help individuals maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the impact of cancer pain on QoL could also be evaluated.