Hi, 5 years ago I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Ductal and Lobular Invasive Breast Cancer in my right breast and I had a lumpectomy, removal of half my lymph nodes and radiotherapy. I have been on Tamoxifen, Anastrozole, Letrozole and still on Anastrozole again. I can be sitting still doing nothing at all and I get a crushing pain that is really intense in my right chest under my breast deep inside my armpit and across my upper back. The doctors and oncologists just say that it is all linked to recovery but it hurts so much that I have to move quickly to stop it. When I stretch sometimes when going to the toilet I cant wipe myself from the pain so have to stop and wait for it to ease and stretch again. Is this normal? I am going out of my mind and no doctor or oncologist seems interested or bothered.
Hi w31end1
Thanks for posting.
It sounds as though you are having a difficult time with the pain you are experiencing following your breast cancer treatment five years ago.
It’s normal to have some pain or discomfort after breast surgery, lymph node removal or radiotherapy although this usually improves within about 3 months of the end of treatment. Some people however will continue to have pain and discomfort in their breast, chest, upper back, arm or armpit and this can continue sometimes for years after surgery or radiotherapy and can have a significant impact on daily life for some people, as you have found.
Most pain or discomfort is caused by bruising, stretching or damage to nerves during surgery or when scar tissue forms following surgery and radiotherapy.
Our information on Ongoing pain after breast surgery, lymph node removal or radiotherapy may be of interest.
We would always suggest that you discuss any new pain with your treatment team, but it sounds as though you have already made your oncologist aware. You could also talk to your breast care nurse about how you are feeling. It may not be possible to completely relieve the pain you are experiencing but you could ask for a referral to a pain clinic for advice on managing it. It may be helpful to keep a diary of the pain you experiencing to show to your GP or oncologist which would help them find the best way to help you with it.
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.
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, If you have hearing or speech difficulties prefix our number with 18001 and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.
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Best wishes
Julie
Breast Care Nurse
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