Hello, I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in November 2017 (right breast). Low oncotype score (no chemo recommended) & radiotherapy treatment completed March 2018. Taking Anastrozole. I have noticed some possible new general lumpiness in my right breast & have been red flagged by my GP to the Breast Clinic & have been given an appt on 4th June. I have been going back and forth a good bit recently to my GP with various different issues and have also separately been referred for a possible colonoscopy. Anyway I have also noticed recently that my voice gets hoarse after quite short periods of talking and also some general wheeziness/throat catching. I do have asthma but have not really ever had associated hoarseness before. I also have ongoing pain in both my collar bones and also in my right shoulder & down the right side of my neck. Also a bit of tenderness under both my arm pits but particularly the right side. I entered my symptoms/history into AI and have now been thrown into a complete panic as it’s telling me I need to see my oncologist urgently for a proper check-up. I haven’t had any contact with oncology for around 3 years and before that I had just the 2 in-person check up appts with oncology in the 1st and 2nd years post diagnosis. Since then I’ve had one telephone consult (3 years ago). That’s really it. Do I go back to my GP AGAIN or try to contact the hospital oncology team or wait for my appt at the breast clinic on 4th June and discuss my concerns then. I live in N. Ireland and fall under the South Eastern Trust so the Breast Clinic is located in the Ulster Hospital Dundonald & the Oncology Team are based in Belfast City Hospital (Belfast Trust)?
Go to your GP again and read them this post. Those things could be symptoms of things like hayfever, mild infection, hormonal changes, oesophageal reflux/indigestion (the hoarseness) etc but they’re well placed to assess and fast track refer.
It’s good you have an appointment on the 4th June which really isn’t that far away. Do you still have access to your Breast Care Nurse team?
@VPW I think when we have had any type of cancer, we intend to fear the worst, your appointment for the breast clinic isn’t to far away, maybe as @bluetit11 suggested a chat with your GP would help. Take one day at a time at the moment (all very easy for me to say when you’re feeling so anxious).
I do hope you get some answers very soon, wishing you well, fingers crossed for a good outcome.
We are all here for you with love and support.
Hugs Tili 
Hey @VPW, definitely speak to your GP again and don’t worry you’re going there too much.
As mentioned these symptoms could be a number of things. I had a CT scan recently to check for spread and during that time I developed a mild cough and became convinced it was in my lungs. I found out it wasn’t and the cough was completely unrelated!
That said, anything you’re unsure of is worth a mention and in my experience, most healthcare professionals are pretty understanding of hypervigilance in current or previous cancer patients.
Best of luck to you. x
Hi VPW,
Thank you for posting.
It sounds like you’re having a difficult time at the moment with various health issues and it’s understandable that you feel worried and would like to know if you should try contacting your oncologist.
While AI can be helpful, we know that it pulls information from both reliable and unreliable sources, so isn’t always accurate. It can also cause additional worry, as you have found. Do remember the AI information isn’t based on your individual circumstances and it’s important to talk to your own healthcare team as @bluetit and @mssteel have said.
Nearly everyone who has been treated for breast cancer worries about it coming back (recurrence) and you’re not alone in feeling this way. When you have your appointment at the breast clinic next week, they will be able to assess the symptoms you have and will discuss them with your oncology team if needed.
You may find it helpful to write down all of the symptoms you have been getting to take with you, so that you can go through each one with them. As @Tili says, you may also want to talk through your concerns with your GP in the meantime so they can support you.
As your main treatment was completed in 2018 it sounds like you may have finished your follow up with your breast cancer team, but if you still have contact with your breast care nurse you can also call them to discuss this.
Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. We often find we can help people more by talking on the phone. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to additional support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.
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Best wishes,
Cassie
Breast Care Nurse
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