Psychological characteristics of women presenting with breast pain

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.