Forum Discussion

Bravo's avatar
Bravo
Member
8 years ago

Massage

I have some lumps in my breast after surgery to remove a cancer. The surgery was 4, almost 5, weeks ago.
At first I was told not to touch, massage, apply heat or cold packs, etc. The lumps, which are about the whole of what's left of the breast, are hard but not painful. I was told it would soften over time.
What are these lumps? Can I ever massage them? Is there anything I can do to assist the disappearance of them? Will they disappear, ever?
  • iserbrown's avatar
    iserbrown
    Member
    8 years ago
    @Bravo understandable that you are concerned and looking what to do.  Be guided by your team.  In our predicament the Breast care nurse is the go to!  Bring the shoulders up, inhale, drop the shoulders whilst exhaling slowly as it helps to calm.  PS that was my favourite part of an aerobics class, was never keen of all the star jumps et cetera
    Good luck and take care xx
  • Bravo's avatar
    Bravo
    Member
    8 years ago
    Thank you. I think I've jumped the gun a bit. Apparently I will get a nurse who will guide me through the radiotherapy process. When that starts. And all the attendant nasties such as swelling and skin issues.
  • Angel61's avatar
    Angel61
    Member
    8 years ago
    Hi Bravo. My breast centre is in Gateshead in Newcastle, NSW. It's called Breast and Endocrine Centre
  • Bravo's avatar
    Bravo
    Member
    8 years ago
    Angel61, where is the breast centre you attend? I'm expecting my physiotherapist to ask me that, because he probably will want to research this.
  • Bravo's avatar
    Bravo
    Member
    8 years ago
    I will be seeing my physiotherapist next week. I will ask.
  • Angel61's avatar
    Angel61
    Member
    8 years ago
    Hi everyone.....I had conserving breast surgery 6 weeks ago and I began seeing the physiotherapist at the breast centre 3 weeks after surgery. I have seen her once a week and will continue to see her during my radiation treatment. She told me yesterday to massage the scar and the breast because it helps soften the tissue. She also used a special laser on the scar to soften the tissue and also on the breast. It felt wonderful afterwards

  • CateH's avatar
    CateH
    Member
    8 years ago
    Hi Bravo,  I had my lumpectomy in Jan and afterwards had a lot of fluid build up.  After the fluid went away there was a hard lump.  My breast care nurse said to massage it which I do in the shower and it isn't gone but a lot better and improving all the time.  I agree with the others, check with your nurse.
  • melclarity's avatar
    melclarity
    Member
    8 years ago
    Definitely scar tissue, your BC Nurse would be the easiest access for answers. I never massaged mine and I had 2 major ones in 4 yrs due to a recurrence. Mine never went away in fact they called it fat necrosis in the end and thickening due to scar tissue. 
  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    8 years ago
    A month isn't long, you will still be healing. I'm with Paula, ask the BC nurses.
  • PaulaN's avatar
    PaulaN
    Member
    8 years ago
    Speak to your bc nurse. I had lumps too, had a CT scan & they turned out to be scar tissue
    Paula