Possible bone cancer?

[Ruthiella]

I had TNBC last year and had chemo, double mastectomy and 5 doses of radiotherapy. I was told I’d had a total pathological response.
About a month ago I developed pain on the top of my shoulder. I spoke to my GP and had an X-ray which shows some calcification around a tendon.
Because of a sentence on the report stating that metastases do not show up on a simple X-ray I am now freaking out. My Oncologist is, apparently, not worried but, knowing how worried I am, has arranged for me to have a full body bone scan this week.

My question is this - is it possible that this isn’t bone cancer? I’m really frightened.

[Shi]

the nurses may not respond till tomorrow so I just wanted to to you it is good to hear your oncologist is being thorough and sending you for scan this will hopefully give you some answers I think we are all on high alert for any pain or anything that doesn’t feel quite right post treatment and then we hop on the rocket to outa space till we’ve had everything checked over please try and hold onto till a professional tells you, you have none mets, you do not have none mets sending big hug and I didn’t want to pass by your post we’ve all got you here and bcn has got you no matter what Shi xx

[Tili]

Dear Ruthiella,

So sorry to read you are feeling so anxious at the moment, every little pain sends us thinking beyond the box.

I completely agree with Shi, one day at a time at the moment, hopefully our breast cancer nurses will help to put your mind at rest.

Wishing if you well, fingers crossed for a good outcome. Please let us know how you’re getting on. We are all here with love and support

Hugs Tili

[bluesatsuma]

Good luck…it will hopefully be nothing to worry about. A simple knock can cause a swelling that shows up. I had a bone island show up on mine. Totally benign. Rooting for you xxx

[Nurse_BCN]

Hi Ruthiella,

Thanks for posting.

It’s completely understandable to be feeling frightened. As @Shi and @Tili say, nearly everyone who has been treated for cancer worries about it coming back (recurrence) and you’re not alone in being anxious about this.

Pain in the shoulder can have many causes, and some people do experience pain months or even years after surgery or radiotherapy. The pain can also develop some time after treatment has finished. As @bluesatsuma mentions, there can also be benign (non-cancer) causes for the pain too.

We would always suggest you get any new symptom checked out, but it’s understandable to be worried and frightened. As the report explains, x-rays are not the best type of scan to look metastases, and it’s important to identify the cause of the new pain.

You may be interested in our resources that are particularly for those who have come to the end of their main hospital treatment. These are known as our Moving forward services and include our Moving Forward book and Moving Forward courses.

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

Katie

Breast Care Nurse

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