Associations Between Childhood Adversity and Pain in Breast Cancer Survivors

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Psychology
• Pain Research

Background:

• Persistent pain is common in breast cancer survivors, yet its contributing factors require further investigation.
• Childhood adversity's role in adult pain is established, but its specific impact on breast cancer survivors remains underexplored.
• Inflammation and emotional ambivalence are potential mediating factors linking childhood adversity to pain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between childhood adversity and pain in breast cancer survivors.
• To investigate the mediating roles of emotional ambivalence and inflammation in this relationship.
• To identify potential targets for interventions aimed at reducing pain in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of women with stage 0-IIIA breast cancer were assessed one year post-treatment.
• Questionnaires measured childhood adversity (Risky Families) and emotional ambivalence (Ambivalence Towards Emotional Expressivity).
• Pain was assessed using the SF-36, and plasma inflammatory markers (IL-1ra, IL-6, CRP, sTNF-RII) were quantified.

Main Results:

• Childhood adversity was significantly associated with increased pain (B=0.36, P=.008).
• Emotional ambivalence significantly mediated this association (B=0.09, 95%CI [0.02, 0.18]).
• No significant mediation effects were found through inflammatory markers.

Conclusions:

• Childhood adversity is a significant contributor to persistent pain experienced by breast cancer survivors.
• Emotional ambivalence emerges as a critical mediating pathway linking childhood adversity to pain.
• These findings suggest emotional ambivalence as a promising target for therapeutic interventions to alleviate pain.