im not sure if im about to face round 2

in 2017 i was diagnosed with breast cancer on the right side i had 6 rounds of chemo and a mastectomy and full lymph nodes removal . all was fine.  i had a mammogram in October 2018 and everything was fine.  but last week my left nipple started to be very painful  , at first i thought it was maybe my bra that was too tight but 1 week on it agony.  im not sure if i can still ring the breast care nurse i had 16 months ago or do i go to my g.p. to be referred again, and is it even possible to get breast cancer in the opposite breast 16 months after the last time  . please someone help

 

 

  • Hi there ...

    Bless ya .. l had a mastectomy in July 2017 too , so I know that fear of the other breast getting it to ...

    There is a lady on here, who had double masectomy after first one .. [@Jolamine]‍ ... hopefully she'll pick this up some time ...

    I'm not sure but l would guess G P appointment first ... sure you'll get a quick refural ... and it just maybe o.k so try not to panic ... easier said ... you know how scary the wait is ... as a fellow Brest lass ,I've got everything crossed for you ...  Chrissie xx

  • thanks Chriss . i found the number for breast care nurse just now so I've left a message on her answer machine so hopefully she might ring me back tomorrow, but maybe she might tell me to go to g.p first, i just want to get there as quick as possible.  im like you I've already been here before so I know its do able , its just the thought of doing it all again.  hopefully i will just have an infection or something,  im not even sure you can get a nipple infection but here's hoping 

  •  

    Hi pg,

    I'm so sorry to hear about your concerns with your other breast. I am glad to hear that you have already left a message with your Breast Care nurse, as this would have been my advice. The worst that can happen is that she tells you that you need a referral from your GP, in which case you are in the same position that you were yesterday.

    Chances are that she will get you an early appointment once you have explained your symptoms. Sadly, it is possible to get a second cancer in the other breast at any time, although I hope that this may be something less serious when you get it investigated. Please let us know how you get on.

    I have had 2 bouts of primary breast cancer. The first one was in 2010 and the second in 2011. First time around I had a lumpectomy and the second, I had a double mastectomy. If you have already had a single mastectomy, you will already know what is involved. If I can be of any help to you in this latest diagnosis or treatment, you only have to let me know. I am here most evenings if you want to contact me.

    Thinking of you and hoping for the best. Please remember that we are always here for you.

    Kind regards

    Jolamine xx

  • thanks for the reply . ye I will post an update once I've seen someone.  

  •  

    Hi pg,

    Did the nurse get back to you today and, if so, what was her advice?

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • hi jolamine . the breast care nurse rang me back and said i would have to go back to my g.p because its been 16 months since my treatment finished , she asked lot's of questions such as is there a lump or discharge,  but i dont have any of them.  the G.P gave me an appointment straight away, she examined me and couldn't find anything except the pain in my nipple so she said she will refer me back to the hospital and they will do scans and mammogram and all the usual stuff,  so now I'm waiting for my appointment for the breast clinic again...

     

  •  

    Hi pg,

    What a pity that you have to go through your GP again, but it shouldn't take more than 2 weeks before you get an appointment.

    Here's hoping that it comes through sooner and, that they can find no more than your GP could. Please let us know when your appointment comes through and how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

     

  • thank you.. when I spoke to the breast nurse she asked lots of questions and also asked if i had changed my washing powder or softner ? i thought that was really bizzar and no way could that cause the nipple pain,  but actually I have changed the softener,  i mentioned it to my g.p and she said no chance that would cause nipple pain.  anyway ive changed the softener back to my normal brand just incase , but I know its not going to be that simple. ....                                   

    can i just ask you  did you have a lump both times you were  diagnosed . im only asking this because the first time i only had an itch on the right side for a few weeks before i felt the lump . so im worried this is going to be similar but rather than the itch its painful then the lump will follow soon 

  •  

    Hi pg,

    Washing powder can cause dermatitis if there is an allergic reaction. I have seen a pretty spectacular reaction a couple of times. You are just as well to change back until you find out more. 

    Each time I was diagnosed I had a lump. Both lumps seemed to appear quite quickly. My surgeon told me that it was unusual to have pain as an early symptom of cancer. I am gladto hear that your GP fitted you in straight away. This should reduce the amount of time you have to wait to be seen at the breast clinic.


    Don't forget to let me know when you get your appointment. I sincerely hope that it won't be too long before you get it.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx