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Post lumpectomy discomfort advice needed

Beekind64a664a6
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Hello i had a lumpectomy operation on each breast in April and radiotherapy in July. I had extra session on my right side as the lump was deeper on that side. My left side is ok i get the occasional tenderness in my armpit area. On the right side it is tender from the inside of the top of my arm and arm pit, and across my breast. i have some scar tissue and the discomfort is just above it. A friend visited last week and hugged me and it was borderline painful. I am also taking Oestrogen blockers and have been since March, and i do have sore joints, my ribs on my right side are sore and have policeman's heel. The radiotherapy  team said that my body should adjust to this at about 5 months. Could this be a factor in why my right side is sore? Is this normal at my stage of recovery? I hate that i am taking someones time with this, but i realise ‘the worm has got into my brain’ and i need some advice please.

  • Hello Beekind,  

    Thank you for contacting Macmillan. My name is Helen; I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.  

    Please don't feel you are taking up anyone’s time with your query. It's normal to feel worried, and you have asked a perfectly appropriate question.  

    We are here for all sorts of concerns and I hope I can help get rid of that worry ‘worm’.  

    People who have had treatment for breast cancer will have levels of discomfort around and about the area of the breast and arm pit after surgery.  

    These can range from tenderness through to electric shock-type pain. This is completely normal and is all part of the long-term repair and recovery of the tissues and nerves.  

    It usually resolves, but the length of time it takes is very individual and can range from months, and for some people may still be a bother a year or more after.  

    You mentioned oestrogen blockers and joint pain, so you may be on one of a group of tablets called aromatase inhibitors (AI), such as letrozole. Oestrogen acts as a lubricant for our joints and AI medication reduces the hormone, hence the common experience of arthralgia (joint ache).  

    It's not usual for such medication to cause tenderness around the breast or the arm pit however, this is much more likely to be the side effects of your surgery.   

    Regarding your painful ribs. Your anti-oestrogen medication would be an unlikely reason for this, and I wonder if you can relate the pain to any sort of injury. Have you knocked yourself or walked into something recently?  

    It would be helpful to let your GP know, if it is something that persists or worsens.  Sometimes GPs prefer patients who have been treated for a cancer to speak to their specialist team, so don’t be surprised or worried if that happens.

    I have popped some physio advice on helping with Policeman’s foot (plantar fasciitis) and hope it helps.  

    Do consider giving us a call if that ‘worm’ persists in being a nuisance. It really helps to chat through how you are feeling, and callers often tell us that they feel better after speaking to one of specialist nurses.  

    Do give us a call if you feel able, we would be delighted to hear from you. Our contact details are below.  

    Sending best wishes,   

    Helen 

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist  

    You can speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.  

    Ref:  HM/Lrob 

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