Worried about Recurrence

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. 

  • Hello Vparkerwebb,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I am sorry to hear that you have already had Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and are now having further symptoms, which are concerning you. You have done the right thing by consulting your GP about these and, I'm glad to see that you have been referred back to the Breast Clinic. 

    Consulting AI was perhaps not the wisest thing to do, as this is very general and can raise more concerns than it needs to. I am not a doctor but am replying, as our nurses are not here at the weekend or on Bank Holidays - they will probably reply to you on Tuesday. As your appointment is so soon, you are probably as well waiting until that time. It is unlikely that you would get another appointment any sooner and a day or two won't make any difference to the outcome. Make sure to write down all of your symptoms, including your additional health problems and discuss these with your consultant. It is also helpful to jot down any questions you may have.

    I shall be thinking of you on 4th June and hope that the outcome will provide a simpler solution than you are currently thinking. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Try contacting the team. Don’t use AI, not worth it. I hate them. 

  • Hello vparkerwebb and thanks for your post,

    I am sorry to hear about your situation. I can understand that it is natural to worry when you are experiencing different symptoms and hopefully when you see the doctors in the breast clinic anything serious will be ruled out.

    I would stay away from AI which does not take in to account your general situation. Your different symptoms may not be connected so try if you can not to over think it all until you have been to the breast clinic.

    As you can see anastrazole can cause painful arthritic joints. The doctors may consider doing a bone scan if they feel that you need further investigations. Do mention all your different symptoms at the breast clinic. If the pain continues they may suggest another hormone therapy.

    It may be better waiting to see the team in the breast clinic first as it is only next week rather then making an appointment with your GP.

    Do make a list of your symptoms and how long you have been having them so they can get the full picture.

    I do hope that everything will be okay.

    if you would like to ring and chat through any of this with one of the helpline nurses then you are welcome to give us a call.

    The number to ring is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.

    All the best,

    Catherine