French nationwide cross-sectional study of pain prevalence in cancer patients undergoing treatment and in cancer survivors

A web-based nationwide cross-sectional survey in France investigated the prevalence of pain in cancer patients undergoing anticancer treatmens (n=518 respondents) and survivors after completion of therapy (n=511). Pain was reported by 49,2% (95% CI 44.8-53.6) of patients and 40.1% (35.8-44.5) of survivors. Among respondents reporting pain, chronic pain was morge prevalent among survivors (99.0%) than among patients (87%). There was no significant between-group difference in the prevalence of neuropathic pain (66.8% versus 67.5%). Pain had a negative impact on quality of life in both groups. Analgesic use was more frequent among patients than among survivors. Factors associated with higher likelihood of reporting pain were breast cancer, being overweight or obese, and having poorer global health status. The authors conclude that pain is a prevalent symptom among cancer patients and survivors in France.