Has anyone been diagnosed with rib fractures following breast cancer?
I had inflamatory breast cancer in 2008 and had chemo, surgery and radiotherapy, in 2010 I started breaking ribs (up to date I have now had around 17 breaks!)
Has anyone else had this problem? My oncologised is baffled, he has not come across this problem before and is therefore
not very interesedt. I am current receiving treatment for brittle bones from the local orthopedic hospital, but my bone density is not low.
I would be interest to hear from anyone with a simular problem (sorry about the spelling! not my strong piont!)
Hi Sandier,
I’m sorry you haven’t had any replies to you question as yet, but hopefully someone will be along soon to share their experiences with you. In the meantime you are more than welcome to give our helpline team here a ring and have a chat with them about your concerns. Calls are free, 0808 800 6000, lines open Mon-Fri 9-5 & Sat 10-2
Take care,
Jo, Facilitator
Hi Sandier
Bump
I just wonder - could there be a link to the radiotherapy? Were the fractures in any way near the area for which you had radiotherapy? Is your oncologist the same person who planned your radiotherapy?
Christine
Sandier - I remember being warned before radiotherapy that future broken ribs were a possible side effect. They told me it was very unlilkely, but can happen. Rads can weaken anything they are pointed at - ribs, heart, lungs etc. All extremely rubbish for you, but don’t let them tell you it is not connected. 
I’ve just been diagnosed with metz in my chest bone, but prior to actual diagnosis, I was told that due to Radiotherapy I could have damage to my ribs - even fractures… cant beleive that your fractures are not been taken more seriously!!! it sounds very painful?
hope you get better treatment soon!
Sorry have just seen this.
Yes me, I’ve suffered since 2008 with numerous fractured ribs, sometimes for no reason (I’m just aware of the pain and get sent for an xray) sometimes I have felt them pop by making a simple movement such as leaning forward or even coughing.
I’ve had 2 bone scans just a few months apart and there were new fractures between the two.
I’ve been told it hasn’t helped by having radiotherapy (I’ve had 2 different cancers so 2 lots of that), as you probably know there isn’t much treatment just suffer the pain with painkillers and wait for it to subside, if I’m lucky it takes about 6 weeks before the pain goes.
Hope you are feeling better soon
Hi,
i’ve just broken 3 ribs in my back but I did fall very hard on a metal structure at a chair lift on a skiing holiday! It was my mx side and so may have been weakened by rads. My onc just said yes it might have been. She’s sent me for a bone scan this Friday as I’m having a lot of joint pain and a referral to a rheumatologist. Hope I don’t break any more as it has been so painful. I’m just past 6 weeks but still quite achey.
sounds like someone should be looking into this for you, hope you get some answers.
Gaynor xx
Hi Sandier
I’ve only just seen this post, so I hope you’re still looking at it. I had BC on left in 2011, lumpectomy, cavity shave (to clear out wider margins) and radiotherapy. Came off my bike on Jan 24th, luckily the road broke my fall ;-), landed on my left side, broke 3 ribs. Did the same thing in 2010 but was back on the bike in about 6 weeks (I am clearly deranged) But… this time it’s 4 months down the road and I’m still in pain. It’s ok for a day or so then I risk some light gardening or cleaning the bathroom and it’s like being kicked by a horse.
Doctor doesn’t have any answers but basically agrees with my assumption that it’s due to radio damage, a lot of scar tissue and pre-existing damage from the first time, although I don’t know if the ribs were broken then because they didn’t xray them. He sent me for an xray about 6 weeks ago to see if there was “anything else going on”, I think we all know what that means, and it isn’t good. No, nothing sinister. So just the knackered ribs then. Also sent me for a bone scan, which was fine.
I find it odd that your oncologist is baffled, bone damage due to radiation is very well known and documented. Also the fact that he/she’s not very interested is not acceptable. I know 2 people who’ve had facial tumours and radio, one of them needs implants to reconstruct his teeth, but due to radio damage the bone is compromised and he was sent for sessions in a hyperbaric chamber before they could contemplate surgery. This is usually used for divers who’ve got a problem and need to be oygenated. It oygenates the blood and supposedly speeds up healing. BTW that was on the NHS.
Check out this article: dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1311768/Radiotherapy-saves-millions-cancer-inflict-cruel-damage-answer-.html. Also Google hyperbaric treatment, medicine etc, and you’ll find lots of stuff. I’m guessing your oncologist hasn’t heard of this either, which would be shocking but not surprising. I know what caused my breaks, If I’d had 17 breaks for no apparent reason I’d be raising merry hell. Broken ribs hurt like hell and make you feel like a fragile old lady, which totally sucks! I’m not ready for that yet and I doubt you are.
Don’t know if you’re taking supplements, but I’m taking calcium, magnesium, Omega 3, Vit D and turmeric. Also you could look into the use of Comfrey oil, which is an old herbal remeday also called Knitbone. Talk to someone at a good health shop before you spend lots of money.
I hope some of this is helpful. Hang in there! Monica