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Updated: Aug 18, 2026

An Experimental Paradigm for the Prediction of Post-Operative Pain (PPOP)
Published on: January 27, 2010
Psychological characteristics of women presenting with breast pain
S Colegrave1, C Holcombe, P Salmon
1Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Liverpool, Whelan Building, Liverpool L69 3GB, UK.
Objective:
Extensive evidence links unexplained physical symptoms in adults with childhood abuse. This study investigated a possible link between unexplained breast pain, recalled childhood abuse and emotional and somatic distress.
Methods:
Consecutive female out-patients presenting with breast pain were categorised as treatment-resistant (n=20), newly diagnosed and requesting treatment (n=37), or newly diagnosed but reassured and not seeking treatment (n=32) and compared with pain-free patients with breast lumps (n=31).
Results:
All breast pain groups were more anxious and depressed, somatised more and recalled a higher incidence of emotional abuse by comparison with breast lump patients. Logistic regression confirmed that emotional abuse and anxiety were independently associated with breast pain.
Conclusion:
Clinical management of patients who present breast pain should be sensitive to the evidence that pain is a marker of emotional abuse in some women and is associated with widespread somatic and emotional distress.
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