Breast edema

Ask our Nurses your questions
1

Hello,

I’d be grateful for advice as the BC nurse ‘help line’ at my hospital isn’t manned and there is no way of leaving a message (a very unhelpful helpline :-/)

I had a lumpectomy and SNB on 6th August this year (grade 1, 16 mm ER+ IDC, 3 nodes removed) followed by radiotherapy which ended on 11th October. There was some swelling after the lumpectomy but nothing awful. In the last 3 weeks, my breast has become noticeably swollen. It’s at least a cup size bigger(my bra is leaving deep ridges in the tissue) and feels so sore and heavy. The lumpectomy scar has also gone thick and sore (after being barely noticeable before).

I assume this is breast edema and I’m not sure what to do about it. I’ve tried massage but it isn’t helping. At this stage I’m not sure what to do. I’d be grateful for any advice as I don’t want it to get any worse.

Many thanks,

Charlotte

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2

Can you ring the clinic and ask for an appointment to be checked out asap? Failing that I would go to a&e to get it checked out. The breast helpline at my hospital is pretty useless too.
I hope things resolve for you soon. Big hug.

3

Thanks so much for replying, Jayesse. I have the number of the review radiographer (who I remember as being super helpful) so I’ve left a message with her and hope she gets back to me. Hugs to you too x

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4

@merrylegs I had something that sounds similar a couple of months after rads and was referred to the lymphoedema clinic

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5

I had it the first time I had breast cancer. I think they called it trunk lymphodema. My doctor thought it would resolve, but I did go to PT and later on I used kinetics tape following a study from that time in 2011. My breast was a DD and the other a B. It took awhile, but they evened out. Of course since I’m back here the ladies are now both gone. The left did me wrong twice and the right was collateral damage since sometimes enough is enough :slightly_smiling_face:.

6

Thanks for letting me know @elsie1. I hope you’re ok now.

7

I’m so sorry you’ve been through this twice @rockym. Thank you for the info and for sharing your experience. I did think of buying a tight boob tube to ‘tape it’ down!

8

I hope you hear back from the radiotherapy dept. The breast care nurse helpline should have an answerphone so you can leave a message. My own is only an answerphone and they call you back.

The BCN nurses are available to call today 9-4 0808 800 6000, closed tomorrow and reopen on Thursday.

You could always call your GP to see if they can give you an urgent appointment today or call 111 for help. Better to get it checked.

:smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

9

Hello Charlotte

Thanks for your post. It sounds as if you’re having a difficult time with breast swelling following your surgery in August.

After surgery, it is very common for the tissues to take time to heal. As healing takes place, most symptoms usually subside. For most people this happens within a few months. However, for some, they can persist, and we know this can affect quality of life.

Any swelling in the breast can cause discomfort. This may be the cause of the indentation in the breast. The pain can be eased if you take paracetamol or, if you able to, ibuprofen. It may also help to ensure you are wearing a soft, non-underwired but supportive bra.

Swelling of the breast can happen as a side effect from radiotherapy, but can also be a sign of lymphoedema in the breast. If lymphoedema is the cause, as @elsie1 says, your breast team may refer you on to a lymphoedema specialist or offer advice on techniques that will help ease your symptoms.

Scars change over time and will be affected by any change in shape of your breast. You may find our video on scars and cording helpful. As Emma describes in this video, scar therapy can help as the lumpectomy scar continues to heal.

You say you’re unable to leave a message for the breast care nurses, but it sounds as though you have been able to leave a message for the treatment radiographer. It’s important to get your symptoms checked out, and the radiographer may be able to arrange this for you. You could also contact the surgeons’ secretary or as @jayesse says, call the breast clinic. Otherwise, do make an appointment with your GP.

Talking to someone who has had a similar experience can often be helpful. Our Someone Like Me service can match you with a trained volunteer who’s had a similar experience to you. You can be in touch with your volunteer by phone or email and they can share their personal experiences to answer your questions, offer support or simply listen to how you are feeling.

You can ring the Someone Like Me team on 0800 138 6551 or email them at someone.likeme@breastcancernow.org, so they can then match you to your volunteer.

We also offer a range of other 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.

For more details about all of these services, please see the information on the link.

In England: If you’re unable to resolve a concern, you do have a right to make a complaint and may want to contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). You can find your nearest PALS office on the NHS website.

In Wales; If you’re unable to resolve a concern directly, you can contact your local health board.

The Welsh government provide guidance to people living in Wales on resolving concerns or issues with NHS services. This is called NHS Wales complaints and concerns: Putting things right

In Scotland; If you need to raise a concern or need help with making a complaint about your NHS care, the Patient Advice and Support Service can provide advice and support with this.

You’re also welcome to 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 additional 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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Out of hours you can leave a message and we will call you back when we next open.

Best wishes

Addie

Breast Care Nurse

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