Armpit swelling & breast pain after skin cancer treatment

Hi, last august I was diagnosed with stage 1a skin cancer when I found a new mole on my wrist. They removed the mole and I had a thick skin graft. A couple of months after removing the mole I noticed swelling under my armpit and then the past few months my breasts have become really painful. I went for my check up last week and the nurse has done a 2 week referral for the breast clinic. Has anyone had any experience regarding this? Can't help but worry it's breast cancer. 

  • Hi,

    I don't have any experience of breast cancer but I am a melanoma patient. Are you still under dermatology for your melanoma monitoring? If so, please contact them and explain your swelling and pain and ask to see the consultant as it may be linked to the Melanoma (possible spread from the wrist to the nodes in the armpit). Hopefully it isn't but it needs checking out. Good luck and please let us know how you get on,

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient since 2009)

  • Thanks for the reply. It was during my first check up since my skin graft that I mentioned it to the nurse. She had a good feel, said she couldn't feel any lumps but there was noticeable swelling to which she referred me to breast clinic. My appointment is for next week. X 

  • Ah, it was the specialist skin nurse who referred you to the breast clinic? If so, at least your skin team are aware. They may leave it to the breast team to do a scan and see if it's something unconnected, breast cancer or a spread of melanoma (although at 1a there is only a 3% chance of spread). There is research being undertaken to see if breast cancer and melanoma are linked as some patients have been diagnosed with both. I hope that's not the case for you. Good luck x

  • Yes it was. I mentioned it to her as I'd noticed it a couple of months after having my mole removed but my consultant didn't seem worried. I'm just panicking as nearly 4 year ago I had a tumor in my spinal cord luckily that wasn't cancerous. Then being diagnosed with skin cancer last year I just feel really unlucky x