I was diagnosed October 2021 with TNBC and had chemo and radiotherapy in 2022. I have been had a lot of rib pain under affected breast and in May 24 I had a bone scan which was ok thank goodness. The rib pain seems to be getting worse. I have spoken to a surgeon who wasn’t helpful and the pain team. Breast care nurse is looking into anything that can help but I think it’s caused by the radiotherapy, I had 15 rounds including the booster and o have fibromyalgia which probably doesn’t help. Has anyone else had rib pain they think caused by radiotherapy and anything they have found helpful for the pain. I have tried many medications. After ready many things and u tube videos have seen it is a common thing after radiotherapy. I think it should be recognised more and maybe listed as a side effect that can happen later on or your mind just runs overtime thinking they worst. Thank you 
Hi whyte,
I remember my breast surgeon telling me that radiotherapy is a treatment that keeps on giving and is very unforgiving.
Yes i too have rib pain on surgery side, above, chest bone, tender in breast tissue what is left of it after 2x lumpectomies and below the tissue, around the rib cage.
One of my many visits post surgery, after rads it was suggested to use ibuprofen cream, gently massage in when the need arises. I do, i find it really helps.
Can i also suggest as you are still under your breast cancer team arrange another scan, since your last one was back in 2022. Hopefully then it will hopefully ease your worries.
Take care and if you can let us know how you get on.
I too have had ongoing rib pain and tightness, also pain and tightness in my shoulder and upper arm. I had a CT scan a year ago which thankfully was clear. My oncologist suggested voltarol cream and referred me to a breast physio. She gave me some stretches and recommended yoga. I have started chair yoga and it has made such a difference. Its not gone completely but the gentle stretching is definitely helping. I also saw my surgeon as I was referred due to some worrying skin changes on my breast. She sent me for an MRI scan which ,again, thankfully was clear. She explained that a combination of scar tissue from surgery, nerve damage and shrinkage/tightness from radiotherapy causes the breast tissue and muscles to pull in various directions.
I find a combination of weekly yoga, trying to do my physio stretches daily(from my origional surgery!), painkillers, voltarol and a cool pack(refrigerated, not frozen) as required has definitely improved the pains and tension. I am not sure it will ever go back to “normal”. I think radiotherapy is the biggest culprit. Good luck going forward.
Thank you. I too have breast pain as well after lumpectomy. I will try some creams. I had a bone scan May 24 and my team won’t give me another one so I’m praying it is just the radiotherapy. Seems a lot of us are suffering .x
Thank you. I do Pilates once a week but didn’t know there was a breast physio. I get breast pain too so I think it is the scar tissue and fibrosis and nerve damage but the radiotherapy not helping I think it’s the same for many of us. Thanks for reply.x
I had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy back in 2001. I have been suffering with breast & rib pain ever since, also shoulder pain. I’ve been to the Drs/Surgeon several times and they just say it’s the effects of radiotherapy! I do Pilates and stretches regular but some days the pain really is unbearable! I’ve tried all sorts of pain relief but can’t seem to find one which agrees with me! Sometimes it’s reassuring just to know you aren’t the only one experiencing these pains 
I am now 4 months post radiotherapy and gripping pain has just started. I have what is like a band at the base of my affected boob. Also crushing pain down my side / ribs. It hurts to cough and sneeze. Why wasn’t I warned this could happen. I do pilates twice a week and lots of other exercise. But this has floored me! 
Im also experiencing similar pains. 6 months on from 5 intense rad sessions now and ive been getting these pains for 2 months. Ive had an xray which was all clear and im just waiting on my bone scan results. First annual mammogram was clear but these pains are ruining my daily life becasuse of the worry. So im comforted to read of others in the same boat!
My pain comes and goes, but its there everyday and its a band like feeling in my mid ribs, always in the same spot. I too exercise frequently but it seems to make the pain worse. Its hard to tell if its bone or muscular. Consultants havent said alot so far but did say its likely to be from surgery scarring and radiotherapy nerve damage. Said its likely if scan is clear ill be referred to the pain clinic - definitely is the gift that keeps giving! Just wish i could stop worrying
I’ve got an appointment with the radiotherapy late effects team next week. The oncologist yesterday didn’t seem to be concerned when he examined me. But it certainly effects quality of life. I sneezed this afternoon and nearly passed out with the pain hope.you get it sorted xx
That band feeling is most likely a cord caused by adhesion formation. Surgery and radiotherapy are a winning combo for cording - its not just about having lymph nodes out. One night I woke up with an intense sharp pain in my lower right rib. For a week after if I were to reach for a high shelf I could feel a pulling. Then one morning after a hot shower I did a big stretch and the whole thing snapped, like a rubber band twanging, with a sharp burning pain. It was loads better after though, full movement since. I keep up with daily stretches which involves reaching for the sky, then bending right over as far as I can go. To an extent, its luck of the draw where, and if they form.
The other aspect is an intermittent sore shoulder, right on the ball, like the bone is sore, it flares up now and then, more irritating than painful, and usually after lots of use. I have a physical job, so towards the end of a shift, it can start annoying me.
Continuing on ( because the rads keep giving) I get orange-peal effect firm skin underside of my bust which is also worst by the end of the day as gravity takes its toll. It improves after massage, that I do twice a day with bio oil. Sometimes I can feel ridges under the skin but I am able to massage these out and get my boob to a soft state in time for bed. Then it’s a repeat in the morning as overnight gravity takes its toll again.
This is life post radio for many - I suspect its more common than is recorded given that I’m handling it myself, who’d record it?
I did have 15 fractions and 4 boosters though, and I’m over 50, so that probably increases risk of side-effects.
Hi,
Thank you for reply. I didn’t know there was a radiotherapy late effects team. Hadn’t been offered to me but probably a postcode thing. I live in the south and the aftercare has not been great. X
@whyte I started my treatment in Reading- chemo, surgery and radiotherapy. I’m now living in Somerset and still having Kadcyla. Got v little follow up in Reading.
Just to update anyone coming across this thread in the future - my bone scan and xray results came back normal. Huge relief and hopefully comfort to anyone having similar symptoms.
