Nausea and secondaries

Ask our Nurses your questions
1

Hey there,

Hoping someone can help.

I had breast cancer - diagnosed in 2020 at 32 HER2+/ ER AND PR negative. No node involvement. Chemo, mastectomy, kadcyla.

I’ve had nausea for about a week now but I feel like I’ve been stuck in a bit of a loop of seeing it can be a secondaries symptom and then obsessing over it and then it just makes me focus on it more.

I had health anxiety prior to my cancer diagnosis at 32 so now it is a real challenge for me to not be hyper vigilant.

I wondered with nausea linked to secondaries, what’s it like? Is it subtle or more defined? Would I have any other symptoms? Can it be linked to anxiety for an extended period of time?

Just trying to find some balance and wondering if I need to flag to my team.

Thanks so much

Georgie

2

Hi Georgie

Thanks for posting.

Nearly everyone who has been treated for cancer worries about it coming back (recurrence). Whilst you’re not alone in being anxious about this, suffering from health anxiety can make it even harder to know what to flag to your team.

There are many different causes for nausea and anxiety can be a contributing factor. The previous link includes signposts to organisations that offer support to people who struggle with anxiety.

As everyone is different it isn’t possible to explain what symptoms might mean for someone. We would always suggest that you get any new and continuing symptoms checked out by your treatment team who can fully assess you. So do give them a call.

Some people may benefit from talking therapy, such as counselling, to explore ways of managing worries and concerns. You can talk to your treatment team about your anxiety and you ask them abut any local services which might be helpful for you. Your GP will also be able to help with this.

We offer a range of 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. In particular you might be interested in our services for younger women.

You are 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 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, (Relay UK -prefix 18001).

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Best wishes

Val

Breast Care Nurse

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