Pain in chest/breast

Hello MarFah

I had considerable pain with my breast cancer, I have Lobular Cancer and had three tumours in total.  It was uncomfortable most of the time but occasionally it was very painful.  Everything I read said breast cancer didn't hurt but in my case that wasn't true.  I already take strong painkillers for another health problem and they did nothing to stop it so unfortunately I didn't find anything that helped until I had my surgery.  I'm sorry not to be more helpful but I'm sure they will be others who can recommend something for the pain.  I hope you find something that helps.

Dear Gee65,

I really appreciate your quick reply and I’m sorry to about your other health issues.

in leu of the pain women experience NHS should really rethink about their guidelines. The first time I felt pain/discomfort in my breast and called my GP he reassured me that it couldn’t be cancer because of the pain, and it was during COVID. I believe it was a missed opportunity for an early diagnosis. 
anyhow I’m hopeful that the surgery will stop both the pain and the cancer. 

I really think the NHS should learn from this instead of general comments. The lived experience is important. I have flagged things up at times that I needed to. Did you tell your GP afterwards. I know we don't want to be negative esp when going through treatment. It's important though. My stepson was happily ignoring something on his wrist the GP told him wasn't anything to worry about. It was malignant melanoma. He has a friend who Mother is an Oncology Nurse who told him to get it looked at. 

Maybe Macmillan could feed this back.. Sorry ignore me if it's not what you want to do. I have had to become my son's advocate. He nearly got a massiv overdose of an Epilepsy medication because if a mistake on a letter from a London Hospital. Xx

Yes I had lobular cancer and it was painful - also diagnosed late - I was told it couldn’t be cancer and to take paracetamol.  At night it was particularly sore and I found hugging a pillow helped when I lay on my side.  I couldn’t get into that theatre fast enough by the end - just wanted it cut out…

What you just wrote was absolutely true and so important.  I don’t know the actual numbers but I believe that medical errors account for the #3 cause of death here in US.  Everything from medication errors, wrong diagnoses etc.  

We all need to be our own advocate and our families too.  I usually go to my husband’s Doctor’s appointments with him just to be a second set of ears and ask different questions too.  
Thanks for sharing. 
Barbara

I too had pain with the breast tumour and pressing a cushion against it seemed to help.  Everything I read said breast cancer isn’t painful, it’s not agonising but mine was definitely painful.

Hi Marfah,

I too am newly diagnosed with grade 3 breast cancer.  I am starting chemo next week. I initially went to my GP because of a constant tingling in my breast. Since the biopsy (5 weeks ago) my breast is painful with a sharp shooting pain occasionally. I have mentioned it to several practitioners but with no response other than to keep taking pain killers. It does worry me so I understand your concern and wish someone would tell me it is 'normal'.

I too

Good evening. I too had sharp pains after my surgery and trouble breathing on occasions. I contacted my GP and spoke to her and all I got was that I needed to speak to my cancer team. This I did and explained the pains only to be told 'it's normal, it will go over a period of time, oh the lump that you have in the side of your breast is fine it'll take about 2 years for everything to settle'. I also went through my cancer treatment on my own as my husband was not allowed to attend appointments with me. 2021.

Now I'm not one to go running to GP or the Breast care team and continued as best as I could.

I went for my first yearly follow up appointment last October and was asked how long I'd had fluid in my breast. I informed her other than the radiotherapy team I'd not seen anyone and when I phoned I was informed it was normal and that i had to put up with it.

I was then booked in for mammogram and scan which was 2 weeks later. After discussion it was agreed to leave it until I felt it was to uncomfortable and then to contact the hospital. 

Once it looked like I was growing a third breast, lol, I went and had the fluid removed 45mls. Since then I've not had any chest pains

I'm sorry I've rambled on but I felt that I needed to give background and ask if you can see someone in the after care team or even your consultant, found that worked the best and quickest.

Hope everything works for you and all the best for the future. 

I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

I’ve just had surgery done so hopefully the pain will disappear over time.  I shall also start chemo in a month or so.

Hi Hellespont,

many thanks for the reply.  It’s extremely important to have all these stories and their backgrounds as this helps lots of women in similar situations deal with nhs in a better way.

best wishes.