October 15, 2013 12:00:24 AM WATime
Hi Michelle - thanks for telling us your story!
You're right, it can seem all so unreal - how can you be told something is wrong when you don't feel unwell? Don't even feel a lump or any other changes? And yet you're told you have cancer and have to have surgery and treatments!
Of course the advantage of detecting breast cancer very early is that you are less likely to need the heavier treatments like more extensive surgery or chemotherapy. It's terrific to hear you didn't have too many problems with your treatments - especially with the extra worries of your husband and mum!
There are some things to consider that may be the cause of the pain you describe. The most likely cause is scar tissue. However easily you get through surgery and treatments Michelle, surgery can have some longer-term side-effects, and radiation also. All surgery produces scar tissue which can constrict over time, and radiation may cause this to tighten further. This usually develops more over time - and may be most significant in the months after completing radiation treatment. This is often felt as a discomfort or 'pulling' feeling in or near the area of surgery to the breast, although this effect may extend over different areas due to the changes the scar tissue and affected nerve pathways may cause. At times this may produce really uncomfortable sensations and be quite painful! Massage and exercises may help to 'stretch out' this scar tissue and ease the damaged nerves, providing some relief from the discomfort. With continued correct management this should improve and ease off. Have you been massaging the areas (breast and under arm) using a moisturising cream or oil and doing exercises over the last few months?
Another possibility is fluid collection (or seroma) in the breast. This may cause discomfort as the fluid causes pressure to surrounding tissue. Usually the area around the scar feels swollen and firm. An ultrasound scan is useful to detect fluid collection, and often this is then drained with a needle.
The pain under your arm may have a few causes as well - as are listed in 'FORUM > Q&A > PAIN AFTER AXILLARY CLEARANCE' .. though this also seems most likely to be caused by scar tissue developing.
It is very unlikely the cause of this discomfort is from something other than post-surgery/radiation changes Michelle. The important aspect is to find the cause, and then have the appropriate treatment. As your GP is arranging an ultrasound, this is likely to help identify if a collection of fluid is the cause. Infection does seem very unlikely at this stage as this usually presents with a reddened swollen painful breast - and as you haven't commented on any increasing redness this seems unlikely - especially at this late stage.
There are more less common possible causes -all side-effects from your treatments. If the cause isn't easily identified, then some of these other possibilities may be considered. Sometimes the specialists (Surgeon / Radiation Oncologist) are needed to clarify the cause due to the specialized nature of treatments.
Hopefully all will improve soon for you Michelle. Please let us know how things go.
Hugs, Glenys (Click Breast Care Nurse) xxx
The Click Breast Care Nurse 
