My breast was well on the way to healing after 10 weeks. Pain was gone, heat and soreness had subsided. On 3rd November I noticed it felt sore and swollen. Overnight it was feeling different. The pain and swelling is getting gradually but progressively worse. Is this normal?
Hi , is your breast a different size to the other one ? Is it heavy ?
If so, it might be breast edema.
I developed it about 3 months after my radiotherapy.
I’d speak to your breast care to get it checked .
They can refer you for massage and drainage .
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Yes I also think you need to contact your BCN and get yourself assessed - I would do it tomorrow . I also had some oedema in my breast about 3 months after radio , I went to the BCN for another reason and she was more concerned about my redness and swelling - mine went down on its own and it wasn’t bothering me the way that yours is hurting you and it didn’t change overnight. I feel sure that they will want to see you and if they don’t contact you in 24 hours I would contact your GP in case you have an i section . Take care xx
Thanks so much for responding to me. It’s my first post here. I will contact my BCN xxx
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It does feel hard in places depending on the bra I wear so I’m back in my post surgery bras. Thanks so much I’m going to give my BCN a call xxx
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Yes I had also got a bit blase and was wandering around the house in a crop top or occasionally no bra at all . I did go back into my post - surgery one one before my appointment because I was in pain from the oil cyst I had developed and my BCN said it was important to wear a good supportive bra and to do the post - op exercises so I would stick with the post- surgery bra if you possibly can . Xx
Wear a supportive bra. I went back to sports bras .
Mine is okay now . Upped my exercises and back to supportive bras .
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That’s good - mine went as well . Ice stuck with the post- surgery bras I’m more comfy with the extra support xx
Hello angharad1
Thank you for your post. You sound like you’ve been having a difficult time since your radiotherapy.
The symptoms you describe, breast soreness and swelling are common side effects of radiotherapy and can continue for some time but usually settle with in a few weeks of treatment. It sounds as though these symptoms have returned and have been getting worse. We would suggest you contact your treatment team, as @joanneN and @klf have also suggested, if you haven’t already done so to discuss this. They may want to see you to assess the symptoms you have and, if appropriate refer you to a lymphedema specialist.
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.
For more details about all of these services, please see the information on the link, or call our free 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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Wendy
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