Pain in Cancer Survivors

The main objective of the proposed study is to identify the prevalence of persistent pain in a sample of adult cancer survivors. Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive information about pain in the cancer survivor population. Although prior studies have assessed pain syndromes in breast and lung cancer survivors (e.g., post-mastectomy and post-thoracotomy pain), there is a lack of information about the prevalence and characteristics of post-treatment pain in other subpopulations of survivors. To address this knowledge gap, a random sample of cancer survivors who are from 1 to 10 years post-treatment completion and who were treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center will complete a telephone-administered pain interview and assessment battery focusing on pain, quality of life, and psychological distress. Our initial recruitment and evaluation will begin in 50 breast cancer survivors and then will expand 50 survivors in each of the other services Colorectal, Genitourinary, Head and Neck, and Thoracic in allotments of 50 participants each. We estimate that the completion time for the interview and assessment battery will range from 45 to 60 minutes. This telephone-based survey will identify vulnerable subgroups of patients with persistent pain and provide a knowledge base for future research on the prevalence and risk factors for post-treatment pain in the cancer survivor population.

Inclusion criteria

• Cancer treatment at MSKCC
• Are from 1 to 10 years post-treatment completion at the time of study recruitment
• No evidence of disease (NED) at the time of assessment;
• Over 18 years of age
• Can be reached by telephone
• Able to provide informed consent
• Able to speak and read English
• Cancer survivors who received adjuvant therapies outside MSKCC will be asked to self-report the type and duration of cancer treatments received.

Exclusion criteria

• Undergoing active cancer treatment (ongoing tamoxifen use, hormone replacement therapy or use of biologics are permitted)
• Evidence of encephalopathy, psychotic illness or cognitive impairment severe enough to preclude giving informed consent to the study staff, or completing the survey instruments of the study.