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Cited by 107Global Cancer Incidence and ScreeningFibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ResearchCancer Risks and Factors

Association of widespread body pain with an increased risk of cancer and reduced cancer survival: a prospective, population-based study

McBeth, John, Silman, Alan J., Macfarlane, Gary J.·2003·Arthritis & Rheumatism
DOI 10.1002/art.10973
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Abstract

Objective: To determine whether reported widespread body pain is related to an increased incidence of cancer and/or reduced survival from cancer, since our previous population surveys have demonstrated a relationship between widespread body pain and a subsequent 2‐fold increase in mortality from cancer over an 8‐year period. Methods: A total of 6,565 subjects in Northwest England participated in 2 health surveys during 1991–1992. The subjects were classified according to their reported pain status (no pain, regional pain, and widespread pain), and were subsequently followed up prospectively until December 31, 1999. During followup, information was collected on incidence of cancer and survival rates among those developing cancer. Associations between the original pain status and development of cancer and cancer survival were expressed as the incidence rate ratio (IRR) and mortality rate ratio (MRR), respectively. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, and study location, the latter being a proxy measure of socioeconomic status. Results: Among the study population, 6,331 had never been diagnosed with cancer at the time of participation in the survey. Of these subjects, 956 (15%) were classified as having widespread pain, 3,061 (48%) as having regional pain, and 2,314 (37%) as having no pain. There were a total of 395 first malignancies recorded during followup. In comparison with subjects reporting no pain, those with regional pain (IRR 1.19, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.94–1.50) and widespread pain (IRR 1.61, 95% CI 1.21–2.13) experienced an excess incidence of cancer during the followup period. The increased incidence among subjects previously reporting widespread pain was related, most strongly, to breast cancer (IRR 3.67, 95% CI 1.39–9.68), but there were also cancers of the prostate (IRR 3.46, 95% CI 1.25–9.59), large bowel (IRR 2.35, 95% CI 0.96–5.77), and lung (IRR 2.04, 95% CI 0.96–4.34). Subjects reporting widespread pain who subsequently developed cancer, in comparison with those previously reporting no pain, had an increased risk of death (MRR 1.82, 95% CI 1.18–2.80). This decreased survival was highest among subjects with cancers of the breast and prostate, although the effects on site‐specific survival were nonsignificant. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that widespread pain reported in population surveys is associated with a substantial subsequent increased incidence of cancer and reduced cancer survival. At present there are no satisfactory biologic explanations for this observation, although several possible leads have been identified.

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  • Among African-American samples, greater perceived daily racial discrimination is associated with higher rates of chronic pain and greater laboratory pain sensitivity.

    “Multiple published studies have suggested that a greater degree of perceived daily racial discrimination is associated with elevated rates of chronic pain and enhanced sensitivity to pain in the laboratory among samples of African-American participants 252–254.”

    From Evaluating psychosocial contributions to chronic pain outcomes (2018) · cites this paper as [253]

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Authors
McBeth, J., Silman, A. J., & Macfarlane, G. J.
Affiliations
University of Manchester (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Arthritis & Rheumatism
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2003-06
Volume
48
Issue
6
Pages
1686-1692
ISSN
  • 0004-3591 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-0131
DOI
10.1002/art.10973
OpenAlex
W2132180291
Cited by
107
References
31
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 5
FWCI
2.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 2 d)
Locations
  • Arthritis & Rheumatism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (submittedVersion)
  • Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Global Cancer Incidence and Screening
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer Risks and Factors
Keywords
chronic widespread pain, cancer incidence, cancer survival, cancer mortality, breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, regional pain, socioeconomic status, health disparities, cancer screening
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cause of Death, England, Female, Fibromyalgia, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neoplasms, Pain, Prospective Studies, Surveys and Questionnaires, Risk Factors, Somatoform Disorders, Survival Rate

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