October 2006 - had WLE, followed by full axillary clearance. Grade 3 tumour. 5/20 nodes affected. Then had 6 lots of chemo, follwed by 33 rads (25 to whole breast and 8 to just the scar). Finished rads mid july 2007. Am triple negative, so no further treatment.
Two things - my left breast (to which I had WLE) is now quite sore, particularly around the scar. Before two or three weeks ago it was fine - the odd twinge but not sudden bursts of pain. A recent routine mamogram in October was ok.
Secondly, I also have these pains in my right breast (which did not have cancer in). I can feel a couple of small lumps but my recent routine mammogram in October was ok so I am assuming these lumps are not cancerous lumps but another sort.
I am 41 and peri-menopausal. The chemo stopped my periods. I am wondering if the breast pain/discomfort is hormonal. I feel reasonably reassured that there is not a more sinister reason - my only concern is that when I had the original mammogram last year the tumour was showing as about 1.5cm although when it was removed it was over 4cm. I am 41 and wondering if my breast tissue is still quite dense and therefore things don’t show up.
Any advice would be useful
Thanks
Ena
Me again. That should say Discomfort in both breasts!
Hello Ena
I think you must get an appointment with the consultant and get this checked out as soon as possible - for your own peace of mind because you are worrying about it and - just in case - especially as your cancer was Grade 3.
However, I think there is a good chance that these are just cysts as they are painful. Before I got BC last year, I had painful lumpy breasts for years with multiple cysts. But do get it checked to make sure.
Take care and let us know what happens.
Love Anthi
Hi Anthi
nice to hear from you and I do hope you are ok.
Thank you for your advice - it spurred me into talking to my breast care nurse this morning who believes the discomfort I am feeling is hormonal and my periods could be on their way back (oh no!). Because I had mammo a few weeks ago she thinks I have nothing to worry about. So I won’t…
Take care
Love Ena
Hi Ena 222
Hope everything is OK now.
I had WLE 10 years ago chemo and 20 rads. I always had a painful breast and thought I could fell lumps although nothing ever showed up on Mammo’s. I had another tumour grade 3 this June and opted for a mastectomy at least I thought I won’t have to worry about these lumps. Imagine my joy when, after mastectomy, I still had the lumps.Turns out they are muscle and rib that has been affected by rads that I had ten years ago!!
Hi Ena
I had WLE in March 06 and ANC in April 06. 2 months ago I started to have tenderness in my good breast! I was very worried. It would last a week then go ok. Anyway a few weeks after and my periods have returned with a vengence. I spoke to my Onc and he told me it was hormonal and not to worry. Hope this helps.