Hi, I’m new to the forum. I had a lumpectomy 9 months ago followed by 5 sessions of radiotherapy. I started taking Anastrozole just before the operation and have some side effects from this. The main one being hot flushes which have got more often and more severe as time has gone along. I expected these. But another side effect I haven’t seen mentioned anywhere is that my breast has developed hard, sore and livid stretch marks. Has anyone else experienced this and is there anything I can rub on these to make the area of skin softer and less sore? Thanks.
I’m not sure what the cause of this is but I would suggest contacting your BCN to get your breast looked at as a matter of urgency in case there’s any infection or swelling that requires treatment .I think it’s far more likely that what you have is related to surgery / radiotherapy than to Anastrozole . My breast was very red in one area after radiotherapy and when I went to see my BCN about something else that turned out to be nothing she was more concerned about the swelling and redness in my breast - it eventually settled on its own but she was considering referring me to the lymphoedema Nurse . As the redness went I could see that there were stretch mark type marks - these have faded and are only visible now in very bright light . You might well not need to have any intervention but I think you need to be seen . Xx
Hi Joanne,
Thank you for your reply.
I think as the stretch marks feel like hard ridges, that’s probably due to the radiotherapy. The reason I thought the Anastrazole was the cause, was because I used to get hormone related stretch marks when I was younger. But when I’ve looked for side effects for anastrazole I haven’t seen anything that matches what I’m experiencing and I haven’t heard of anyone else having these, so I thought of asking in here.
I think I’ll contact my breast care nurse as you suggested, she might have seen something similar. Xx
I did jump in here but I do think that the Nurses would also suggest that you contact your BCN . I hope that you are able to get some help . Xx
Thank you 
Wishing you all the best.Xx
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Hi celie1
Thanks for posting.
Hot flushes are the most commonly reported menopausal symptom due to breast cancer treatment and many women contact us describing the difficulties they are experiencing with them. The frequency and severity of them vary from person to person. For most women they will fade over time and become less severe, but for some they may continue or get worse as yours have done and this can really affect their quality of life.
We know that there are different things that help with hot flushes. You can speak with your breast care nurse or treatment team to discuss possible options for managing hot flushes. Your GP may also be able to help. You may want to ask about a referral to a specialist menopause clinic where you can get further advice and information about coping with menopausal symptoms.
As you and @JoanneN have suggested, the breast symptoms you describe are not a recognised side effect of anastrozole. However, soreness and changes to the texture of the breast may be a side effect of radiotherapy or surgery.
We would always suggest you get any new changes you have noticed checked out by your treatment team or GP. Using a gentle moisturiser to massage the area may be helpful and you can ask your breast care nurse or treatment team about this and whether anything else might be helpful. If you are no longer under the care of the hospital you can ask your GP to re-refer you for a review.
You mention that you are new to the forum and you may like to read about other people’s experience or post about your experience of radiotherapy in this section. You may also be interested in our recent Facebook Live sessions on radiotherapy.
We offer a range of free supportive services for anyone who has had a diagnosis of breast cancer which you may be interested in. They include face to face and online courses and events.
Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, (Relay UK -prefix 18001).
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Val
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