Charlotteleanne 

Hi Charlotte I too had a lumpectomy  in my right breast and all my lymph nodes removed from under my right arm, that was in June 2020, I had chemotherapy which ended December 14th 2020,radiotherapy which ended in March 2021. I too have been having pain in my breast and it goes through to my back and my ribs on that side. When I stretch ie...reach out to get something I get a kibf of dull pulling pain om my breast and ribs. I also found a lump on Christmas day night 2021,So I was recently seen at my hospital breast clinic  I waa refferd to see the consultant and was examined and had an ultrasound.  Thank goodness nothing sinister was found,but they did find a tiny cyst,which they said is nothing to worry about,they said  "there are probably loads of women walking around now with cysts in thier breasts,as its quite common and they probably don't even know that thry have them". Thry said " its best to just leave it " .The pains I am experiencing I was told is quite normal for the treatments I've had ,the chemotherapy and radiotherapy and surgery all change your breast tissue ,and you get scar tissue which can make the breasts feel like this. I was told not to worry ,that my bodys been through soo much  and it can take years to heal and some woman ,still get pain which is menopausal, even though I'm now 65,they said " I will still get this,as my breasts were  always quite  more painfull at certain times of the month. 

Obvously  it's best if you do voice your concerns with your breast care nurse ,and get things checked out,but I'm.just reassuring you that it's quire normal for you to still get breast pain in your breast after all this time.i never knew this,this is something your not aware of,or told.

To be honest the pulling type of pain in the ribs and under them   that I'm  getting ,and  the shooting pains on and off in my breast was my main concern as I seemed ok for quite a while after the operation  and after I'd healed but suddenly the pain I was getting seemed to be worse than after my operation. Which worried me.  

Hope my reply helps to put your mind at ease a little bit  , do speak yo your breast care nurses ,that's whst they ate there for.

Hi, gosh it sounds like you have really been through it, I know I am extremely fortunate not to have to go through chemo, which is why I don't like contacting my nurse regarding every little niggle as I know others need her more than me. But the anxiety it's causing me is getting worse, as I really did think I would feel completely normal a year on, but that's definitely not the case! The pain you have described really does sound like what I have so that's definitely reassuring! Thank you so much for your reply and good luck with going forward Xx 

Hello and thanks for your post,

Unfortunately, a small number of women do have longer term effects after treatment. Surgery can damage small nerve endings and this can take some time to resolve, although it may not completely go away. Applying gentle warmth or alternatively a cold pack can help smooth flare ups. Be mindful of what movements might make it worse. Sleeping with a small pillow at chest level to support at night can help. It might be worth trying some pilates or gentle yoga to build up core muscles to support the surrounding body tissue. Physiotherapy advice may also help.

Do share your worries, when you have your next mammogram. Hopefully, your hospital team can reassure you. 

I hope that this is helpful, 

Kind regards,

Vanda

Thank you for your reply, this information is very reassuring. I have mad an appointment with my GP for tomorrow, so hopefully she will say the same as you. I'm just feeling very anxious about any new aches & pains! I do do Pilates and I definitely find it helps, I think I'm more worried as this is a new pain in slightly different position to where it usually is. I really did expect to be back to normal a year on after the opereation and didn't expect to still have a lot of pain daily, but you have definitely reassured me so thank you xx

Thank you ,and hope you start to feel better very soon .xx

Hi, I would suggest that you still go back to the surgeon. I have been today (2 months after lumpectomy) I have stabbing pain where the tumor was but also weared pain at the botton of the breast,  there is  some blue reddness... So the surgeon examined  and said all ok and that the redness is most likely due to the lymp is hangin at the bottom of my boob.... makes sense... so she suggested wearing the tight suregical bra again and gently massaging from the bottom of the breast to the armpit... my GP would not have a clue about all this ... i already feel more positive ... so please do not suffer on your own! good luck xx