Objective To analyze the effect of PDCA management mode nursing on postoperative cosmetic effect and pain in patients with breast cancer. Methods A total of 96 patients with breast cancer who were hospitalized in the Department of Breast Surgery of our hospital from January 2021 to April 2022 were selected as the research objects. According to the random number table method, they were divided into control group and observation group, with 48 cases in each group. The control group received routine nursing, and the observation group received PDCA management mode nursing. The postoperative cosmetic effect, pain score and clinical related indicators were compared between the two groups. Results The scores of color, vascular distribution, thickness and softness in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The VAS score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). The intraoperative blood loss, operation time and postoperative infection rate of the observation group were better than those of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The implementation of PDCA management mode for breast cancer patients can reduce their pain, improve postoperative cosmetic effect and reduce the incidence of infection.