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JanineG's avatar
JanineG
Member
5 years ago

Hard sore breast

Hi all. I’d like to know if anyone else has a progressively harder breast post radiation? 
I am almost five years post surgery and radiation and I find that the comment I regularly make at each oncology appointment is that my breast has progressively become firmer, more painful to touch. It reminds me of a sore premenstrual breast. I can never forget that my breast is there, unlike the right breast which is...just a breast!
Also my surgical scar...‘A very good scar’, it is quite rigid and uncomfortable. I’ve twice had steroid injections into the scar, the first one made a huge difference for a few months, the second time no improvement at all. 
I’m told this is a combination of post radiation and taking arimidex. The theory is when I am off the arimidex things may improve. 
My question is has anyone else had the same problem and had any other treatment solutions? 
Thankyou JanineG
  • JanineG's avatar
    JanineG
    Member
    5 years ago
    @TonyM gosh that’s awful for you. I’m sorry you had to go through it all again. I’m becoming more anxious the closer I get to my five year mark. I didn’t feel my two tumours, they were picked up early in an annual mammogram. And now with my breast being so hard I’m doubting I would feel any lumps myself. I hope you are doing better and feeling a lot more comfortable. JanineG xx
  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    5 years ago
    Hi JanineG, my breast was never the same after radiation.It shrunk,lots of discomfort and hard as a rock.I suspect you might be stuck with what you’ve got but do keep an eye on it. After 7 years I developed cancer in it again so it had to come off.
  • JanineG's avatar
    JanineG
    Member
    5 years ago
    thankyou for your kind thoughts @arpie. I regularly see the oncology doctors At the Royal Melbourne. Each one I see has similar comments all beginning with ‘it’s definitely a radiated breast’!🥴.
    just wish it didn’t annoy me so much. 
    JanineG xx 
  • arpie's avatar
    arpie
    Member
    5 years ago
    @JanineG - I am so sorry you are having these side effects,  both from the rads and your scar.

    I understand that some breasts can become quite hard/firm after radiation .... even lumpy.  I’ve been very lucky and still have ‘normal’ feeling tissue - the surgeon is always amazed when he checks me, which indicates to me that it happens to a lot women. :( 

    Have you seen your Rad Onc or surgeon recently? It might be worth getting checked out again ...

    all the best xxx