My mum had breast cancer in 2005, she had a partial mastectomy (one of the contraversial cleveage saving operations), chemo and radio. She was signed off from the hospital in 2010 but went back two years ago to have the full mastectomy following the orginal surgeon being struck off (the cancer had not returned, she was advised to have the op to reduce the risk of it returning).
Anyway, lately, she seems to be having a lot of aches and pains. She is quite a trooper and not one to moan but she has needed to see chiropractors for neck and back pain. These occurences of pain seem to be increasing. I know of other women who have gone on to have bone cancer after ‘recovering’ from breast cancer.
My question is, shouldn’t her GP be seeing a pattern here and referring her for a bone scan? Or am I worrying too much?
The aches and pains are probably nothing sinister - maybe just due to getting older. However, with her history, I would have thought it would be best to get it checked out. Usually that would be xray and nuclear bone scan. There would be no harm in simply asking the doctor if she could have both investigations just as a precaution.
Yes, breast cancer can spread to the bones. It’s still called breast cancer (not bone cancer) - metastatic breast cancer or breast cancer secondaries. There are many treatments available which can slow progression right down.
How awful that your mum had to go through two operations. The situation, with the surgeon being struck off, must add extra anxieties to all the usual ones. I hope everything is OK for her.
Hi Briskie,
Just want to say that I think Thumbie’s advice here is spot on. Too many women end up going back & forth to GPs with back pain etc after having had breast cancer and I feel quite strongly that these pains should be referred back to the breast unit at the hospital to be sure they are not related. How does your mum feel about asking the GP to refer her back to the hospital?
Dawn
xx
This must be a tough time for you both this Is probably nothing just the natural age progression I can sympathise at 53 something is always aching knees neck back so on and so on!!! my advice would be to phone the breast clinic where your mum had her treatment and there will be a bc nurse there to give you some advice please try to to worry and stay strong, mum must be very proud she has such a caring young lady as a daughter 