I'm sorry to hear about the rib pain you're currently having Jess, and for the worry this is causing.

I do hope your breast cancer nurse was able to offer your some reassurance but if it would help to talk things through with one of our cancer nurses as well, they're available on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m. They're very insightful and will do all they can to answer your questions and ease your mind until you can see someone about this.

Hopefully some of our members who have experienced this as well will share their stories and advice with you soon but in the meantime, we're sending you all our support Jess and will have our fingers crossed everything will be o.k.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi.  I am new to this site.  I received a breast cancer diagnosis last year for which I had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy and I am now on tamoxifen although did not start this until six months after finishing my radiotherapy as I was told that I had a very low risk of cancer coming back without adjuvent therapy.

Although I have had continuous pains from scar tissue around my left breast and pains in my rib cage, I have recently developed a different type of pain in my lower left rib towards the back.  It feels very inflamed and is painful.  I have spoken to my breast cancer nurse but at first I was just told it was normal.  However, after insisting that the pain feels different I am now awaiting an urgent referral back to the breast cancer unit. 

My question is, I know that rib pain is common but has anyone had any similar sort of pain to the one I have described above.  Everything I read about possible problems with rib pain post surgery and radiotherapy seems to be more related to the front of the rib case near the breast. 

I am absolutely terrified of my cancer having spread to my ribs (and other bones).  I was assured that I had clear margins on what ended up being a stage 1A cancer which was removed by lumpectomy with 5 days of radiotherapy.  3 lymph nodes were taken an all were clear.  

I am going out of my mind with worry that this has spread

Hi Chap1,

Welcome to Cancer Chat. I saw your post and wanted to send a reply - I can understand your concerns, and it's good to hear you've pushed for a referral to get some answers.

The thread you have posted on here is a little old - you may still get replies here, but you may also wish to create a new discussion on the forum to hopefully get more replies from others.

I hope it's not long for you to wait to find out more.

Wishing you all the best,

Ben
Cancer Chat Moderator