Chronic neuropathic pain in women after breast cancer treatment.

Chronic neuropathic pain affects between 20% and 50% of women after their breast cancer treatment. The Human Response to Illness (HRTI) model provides a comprehensive theoretic framework to guide the assessment and management of this pain in women with breast cancer. Knowledge of the physiologil, pathophysiologic, behavioral, and experiential perspectives, as well as personal and environmental factors, will assist nurses and other health care professionals to develop better assessment tools and improve interventions and treatment modalities. This will provide guidance for nursing practice, education, and research and ultimately improve the quality of life, optimize outcomes, and reduce the incidence of chronic neuropathic pain in the breast cancer population.