Hello demcy,
Thanks for your post. It’s understandable that you’re asking if the burning sensation in your armpits are normal symptoms following surgery and radiotherapy for breast cancer.
Ongoing (chronic) discomfort may be part of the healing process or caused by damage to the nerves, particularly those in the axilla (underarm) on the affected side. However, it’s unusual to experience to this on your unaffected side.
For most people, radiotherapy side effects settle over a period of weeks, but for others can continue for months and sometimes for years.
It’s important to report any changes to your breast care nurse, treatment team or GP so that they can fully assess you. Do also mention the skin products you’re using as you may have a developed a sensitivity to them, especially if you are using any new skin or laundry products.
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 help answer your questions, offer support and 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.
For most people, it’s not usually ‘back to normal’ when they finish hospital treatment for primary breast cancer. You may be interested in our Moving Forward resources that are for people who have had a diagnosis of primary breast cancer and have come to the end of their main hospital treatment. They include ourMoving Forward booklet and Moving Forward courses, which are available both face to face or online.
You can follow the links above for more information or call the moving forward team on 03457 077 1893.
We offer a range of other free supportive services 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 additional support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.
Our number is 0808 800 6000. If you have hearing or speech difficulties dial 18001 followed by our number and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.
If you would prefer one of our nurses to call you. Please complete this form ticking the box agreeing to a call back.
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Best wishes,
Addie
Breast Care Nurse
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