Breast Cancer Survivors Face Debilitating Post-Mastectomy Pain

Chronic pain syndrome affects up to half of mastectomy patients, yet remains a silent epidemic

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:14pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray image showing the bones and nerves of a human hand, conceptually representing the hidden, internal pain experienced by breast cancer survivors after mastectomy.An X-ray view reveals the unseen nerve damage that can lead to debilitating chronic pain for many breast cancer survivors after mastectomy.NYC Today

Many breast cancer survivors face a hidden agony after their mastectomies - a debilitating condition called post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) that can last for years. Despite affecting up to 50% of patients, PMPS is often dismissed or overlooked, highlighting systemic failures to prioritize women's health and quality of life after cancer treatment.

Why it matters

The focus on rising breast cancer survival rates has overshadowed the lived experiences of survivors, many of whom are left in chronic pain after mastectomies. This disconnect between survival and quality of life reflects broader gender biases in the medical community, where women's pain is frequently minimized or ignored. Addressing PMPS is not just a medical issue, but a systemic failure to fully support women through their cancer journeys.

The details

Post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is a debilitating condition that can cause stabbing pain, hypersensitivity, and severely impact a survivor's quality of life. Yet, many women are blindsided by PMPS, as breast surgeons often lack training in techniques to minimize nerve damage during mastectomies. This, combined with inconsistent diagnosis and treatment, leaves patients struggling to manage their pain through trial-and-error approaches.

  • In 2013, Angelina Jolie's New York Times column about her preventive mastectomy inspired many women to undergo genetic testing and similar surgeries.
  • The Advancing Women's Health Coverage Act, a recent piece of legislation, is a step towards addressing the gaps in care for breast cancer survivors.

The players

Sophia Bassan

A woman who underwent a preventive mastectomy after discovering her genetic risk for breast cancer, and was later blindsided by the chronic pain of post-mastectomy pain syndrome.

Jennifer Drubin Clark

A breast cancer survivor who struggled with PMPS, unable to perform basic tasks like playing the piano or blow-drying her hair due to the debilitating pain.

Jonathan Bank and Maureen Beederman

Plastic surgeons who noted that a surgery should only be considered successful if the patient is pain-free.

Sean Mackey

An anesthesiologist who observed that the historical dismissal of women's pain in the medical community has been slow to change.

Jeni Golomb

A breast cancer survivor who relies on gabapentin to manage her PMPS pain, but fears the consequences of missing a dose.

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What they’re saying

“This is not rare; it's statistically predictable.”

— Sophia Bassan

“A surgery should only be considered successful if the patient is pain-free.”

— Jonathan Bank and Maureen Beederman, Plastic Surgeons

“The historical dismissal of women's pain in the medical community has been slow to change.”

— Sean Mackey, Anesthesiologist

What’s next

The Advancing Women's Health Coverage Act is a recent piece of legislation that aims to address the gaps in care for breast cancer survivors. Additionally, medical schools must prioritize training in nerve repair techniques to better prepare surgeons for minimizing post-mastectomy pain.

The takeaway

Addressing post-mastectomy pain syndrome requires a multi-faceted approach, including better medical training, coordinated research, and a cultural shift in how we perceive and prioritize women's pain. The goal should not just be survival, but ensuring that breast cancer survivors can truly thrive after their treatment.