How Is Metastasized Breast Cancer Diagnosed
When back pain is the first noticeable symptom of breast cancer, diagnosis is usually a process of elimination to rule out other possible sources of spine-related pain such as disc herniation, muscle strain, and sciatica. If breast cancer is confirmed, diagnosing where it has spread to typically involves:
- Blood tests to confirm if the cancer is in bone tissues in the spine
- Bone scans to identify which part of the spine is affected
- MRI and CT scans to determine if soft tissues around the backbone are affected
Is There Pain With Fibrocystic Breast Disease
Signs and symptoms of fibrocystic breasts may include: Breast lumps or areas of thickening that tend to blend into the surrounding breast tissue. Generalized breast pain or tenderness or discomfort that involves the upper outer part of the breast. Breast nodules or lumpy tissue change in size with the menstrual cycle.
Metastatic Breast Cancer And Pain
Metastatic breast cancer may also cause pain. It could be from a larger tumorthese are often over 2 centimeters in diameteror pain in other regions of the body due to the spread of cancer. If breast cancer spreads to your bones, it may cause bone pain, or back pain with leg weakness. If cancer spreads to your brain, it may cause headaches.
If breast cancer travels to the adrenal glands, you may feel a dull back pain. If your breast cancer spreads to your liver, you could have pain in the upper right part of your abdomen and develop jaundice .
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Breast Reduction For Back Pain
Breast reduction surgery, also called reduction mammoplasty, is becoming more commonone of the most commonly requested and most predictably successful plastic surgery procedures, says Dr. Bethanne Snodgrass, MD, on the website of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons . In fact, according to the ASPS 2019 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report, more than 46,000 reduction mammoplasties were performed in 2019, an increase over 2018. And a great many of those surgeries were for back pain.
Having seen several hundred breast reduction operationsoverwhelmingly, every woman comes in with some degree of shoulder, neck, and back pain. It is universally common to women with large breasts, says Dr. Howard.
When it comes to the decision to have breast reduction surgery, its important to know what is and isnt possible. I think the most important part of breast reduction surgery starts from the very first moment that I am meeting the patient, and that is expectation setting from the outset, Dr Howard continues. If a patient has the right expectations for the surgery, then success is almost guaranteed in this.
Dr. Howard adds that the vast majority of patients see improvement of their symptoms. So when you set that expectation ahead of time, then they go into it with a realistic look, he says.
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When Back Pain Requires Immediate Care
A condition called malignant spinal cord compression may develop in some people who have lung cancer that spreads to the spine. These symptoms include worsening back pain, weakness in the legs, and sometimes loss of urinary or bowel control. This is a medical emergency, and immediate treatment is needed to prevent complications such as paralysis.
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Youre Wearing The Wrong Bra
An ill-fitting bra can cause pain even if you dont have big boobs. The majority of the time women are wearing bras that are too big, says Dr. Swain, and a too-big bra isnt going to support you very well.
A too-small bra isnt much better, since it might feel restrictive and uncomfortable. If underwire makes your breast pain worse, pick one with more cushioning at the base of the breast, Dr. Swain says.
She also recommends getting fitted at a department or specialty store where you can buy a well-made bra. Specific brands are more supportive than others, she says.
Warning Signs Of Breast Cancer
More women die of breast cancer than any other cancer, and men, although in a distinct minority with barely one percent of the cases, are not immune. According to 2019 statistics released by Cancer.net, a doctor-approved patient website, 42,260 people will die of breast cancer by the end of the year. This ubiquitous disease is on the rise among women, despite advances in medicine and treatment measures. Among the cancers among women, breast cancer trails only skin cancer as the most diagnosed. There will be 268,250 women in this country diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, with almost 63,000 with in situ breast cancer.
As is the case with most cancers, the sooner it is detected the better the chances of vanquishing it. Breast cancer should not be allowed to linger for long, because time is on its side as it spreads through the lymph nodes from an ignominious start as a small tumor in the breast tissue.
The hard fact is that it cant be treated if it isnt diagnosed in the first place, and we bring you seven detectable signs of breast cancer that will give you a head start.
Seven Signs of Breast Cancer
That brings us to the second sign.
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‘you’re Dying Of Breast Cancer And There’s No Cure’
There’s no oncologist in my county, so I went to Columbus for a second opinion from doctors at Ohio State University. While I was there, I told them about my back pain. That prompted them to do a CT scan, which showed the cancer had possibly gone to my spine. I needed another biopsy to confirm this, and within a week I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. I went from hearing, Youre too young to have breast cancer to Youre dying of breast cancer and theres no cure.
When I learned that the terrible pain in my back was due to metastatic cancer in my spine , I first wanted to hug my oncologist. Not because I was excited to have cancer, but because someone finally gave me an answer that explained why my back had hurt so much, confirming that it wasn’t all in my head.
But then, as this information sank in, finding out that it was cancer felt like I was getting punched in the stomach. All I could think was, How long has this been going on? I thought back to the rheumatologist I had seen just a couple of weeks before, who told me I was “fine” and to only come back if the pain got worse.
I then discovered something chilling. A note had been left in my medical records by one of the doctors I had seen for the back pain. It mentioned that “suspicious lesions” were found on my spine and hip bone after a scan I had a year earlier. No one ever followed up or told me about this.
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When To See Your Healthcare Provider
Its important to talk to your healthcare provider if you have breast pain from any cause. Even if its not due to cancer, many women find that breast pain decreases their quality of life. In one study, 15% of women experienced breast pain at some time in their life that interfered with work and family activities. Make sure to talk to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any unusual discomfort.
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Musculoskeletal Causes Of Breast Pain
Renee Kam, IBCLC, Physiotherapist and Breastfeeding Counsellor.
Finding the cause of breast and/or nipple pain can sometimes be tricky and there may be more than one cause. If youre having trouble with breastfeeding, the sooner you get help, the sooner you can sort out any problems big or small.
Breast and/or nipple pain during lactation is most commonly related to the actual breastfeeding, for example to poor attachment, a blocked duct, mastitis or nipple infections.
However pain in breastfeeding mothers, as with anyone, can also be musculoskeletal in origin that is, it may be caused by conditions of the bones, muscles and their attachments eg joints and ligaments. New tasks undertaken when caring for a small baby may increase the risk of a mother developing musculoskeletal pain perhaps due to poor posture while feeding, staying in the one position for a long time, muscle imbalances, or fatigue or general stresses that can make muscles tighten up.
Musculoskeletal causes may include breast pain referred from:
- the spine eg due to a bulging disc in the upper or middle back compressing a nerve or a problem with the joints between the vertebrae.
-
a trigger point in the large chest muscle lying underneath the breast. Trigger points are hyperirritable and hypersensitive spots in a muscle.
-
costochondritis inflammation of the cartilage holding the upper ribs to the breastbone .
The information on this website does not replace advice from your health care providers.
Could My Back Pain Be Spine Cancer
For people who have severe back pain, it is natural to wonder whether or not the pain might be a sign of spinal cancer. While most back pain is unrelated to cancer or tumors, it is possible and important to check out. This article explains when back pain may be related to a spinal tumor, how to get an accurate diagnosis, and what to consider for treatment options.
Tumors growing within the vertebrae can make the spinal bones weak, causing them to break and collapse. Watch:Metastatic Spinal Cancer Video
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Hair And Skin Changes
Chemotherapy, or âchemo,â can make your hair fall out, not only on your head but also all over your body. Chemo also can turn your skin dry, itchy, and flaky. Radiation might cause your skin to look and feel like sunburn around the treatment spot.
These effects may change how you feel about yourself. Some people might react visibly. Consider telling your loved ones and others beforehand about what youâre going through. Sometimes it may help to talk to a mental health counselor.
The good news is that after treatment, your skin returns to normal and your hair usually grows back. Itâs possible that your hair could grow back with a slightly different feel and texture.
A Lump In Your Breast
A lump or mass in the breast is the most common symptom of breast cancer. Lumps are often hard and painless, although some are painful. However, not all lumps are cancer. Benign breast conditions that can also cause lumps.
Still, its important to have your doctor check out any new lump or mass right away. If it does turn out to be cancer, the sooner its diagnosed the better.
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Less Common Treatment Effects
Radiation therapy. In some cases it can cause pulmonary fibrosis, which scars your lung tissue. You might notice:
- Dry cough
- Chest pain
These symptoms typically show up 2-3 months after your treatment ends. It may first look like pneumonia, but antibiotics wonât help. Your doctor may prescribe steroids to treat your symptoms.
Chemotherapy. Certain chemo drugs can lead to heart problems, especially if you had existing heart problems. Other possible side effects of chemo include:
- Hot flashes and irregular or missed periods
- Foggy thinking
- Consistent numbness, pain, or tingling in fingers or toes
- Weight gain
Hormone therapy. If you have a type of tumor called estrogen receptive, you might get hormone therapy drugs. Many of them can lead to weaker bones . One drug, tamoxifen, may raise your risk for serious medical issues like stroke, blood clots, and uterine cancer. Tamoxifen also may cause:
- Vaginal discharge
- Weight gain
- Hot flashes
Each woman responds differently to their breast cancer and treatments. Itâs a good idea to keep track of your experience and update your doctors about your side effects. The sooner theyâre aware, the better they can help you get your symptoms under control.
Diet And Lifestyle Changes
Diet
Your GP may suggest some things you can try which might help reduce pain, but theres limited evidence to show these work. These include:
- eating a low-fat diet
- increasing the amount of fibre you eat
- reducing caffeine and alcohol
Well-fitting bra
Wearing a supportive and well-fitting bra during the day, during any physical activity and at night can be helpful.
Relaxation and complementary therapies
Some women have found relaxation therapy useful in reducing their symptoms of cyclical breast pain, such as relaxation CDs or apps, or other complementary therapies such as acupuncture and aromatherapy.
Contraception
If your pain started when you began taking a contraceptive pill, changing to a different pill may help. If the pain continues, you may want to try a non-hormone method of contraception such as condoms, a non-hormonal coil or a cap .
HRT
If your pain started or increased while taking HRT and doesnt settle after a short time, tell your GP.
Evening primrose or starflower oil
Theres evidence that having low levels of an essential fatty acid called GLA can contribute to cyclical breast pain. However, research has shown that taking additional GLA doesnt always help the pain. Despite this, your GP may suggest that you try evening primrose or starflower oil , as some women have found it helps them to feel better generally. Your GP will tell you how much to take and for how long.
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How Long Can You Have Breast Cancer Without Knowing
Breast cancer has to divide 30 times before it can be felt. Up to the 28th cell division, neither you nor your doctor can detect it by hand. With most breast cancers, each division takes one to two months, so by the time you can feel a cancerous lump, the cancer has been in your body for two to five years.
Seeking The Right Diagnosis
If you have complaints of pain or discomfort after breast cancer surgery, you may find that it can be hard to get a diagnosis. The surgeon has removed the cancer and the oncologist has done his or her job, but how does the leftover pain get diagnosed and treated?
If you think you may have PMRS, make an appointment with a physiatrist in your area, Dr. Ibanez advises. He or she will need to take a detailed medical and functional history. A comprehensive physical exam, which includes seeing how well you can move, may help your doctor determine if there are underlying problems with your nerves, muscles, or other tissues.
Sometimes, blood tests or an imaging test such as an MRI may be needed. A test called an electromyography can help to see if there is abnormal muscle or nerve function in the area.
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What If Doctors Had Diagnosed Me Earlier
Maintaining my quality of life is the biggest thing for me now. If I know quantity is going to be short, then the time Im going to have is going to be good time. Im always going to have a little bit of pain, but its about what I can tolerate, and I have a conversation going with my palliative care team, who is fantastic.
I moved home after I was diagnosed, thinking Id be home for a year for treatment. Then I found out Id be in treatment for the rest of my life. I had to quit my job and go on disability because of my bone metastases. My treatment schedule is pretty rigorous. I sometimes have three or four appointments in a day. But staying alive is my full-time job now.
Getting Back To Normal
Many women come to her office seeking help, Dr. Ibanez says, and are relieved to hear that they arent alone and that there is treatment. Its important that women with PMRS understand that this is a real syndrome, she stresses. There is a physiology to it. There is nerve and muscle damage, atrophy, and a change in biomechanics.
With a comprehensive program that can last six, eight, or 12 weeks, followed by a lifelong exercise program to maintain the gains, most women will feel much better. We can never say 100 percent, but I would say 80 to 90 percent of women see great improvements, says Dr. Ibanez. She adds that its important to continue the exercises after the completion of therapy, because symptoms may return or worsen.
My patients say that life isnt the same as before cancer treatment, but its better than when they first came to see me, she notes. They can participate in activities like yoga and swimming, and they can lift their child or grandchild.
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Unlock Your Hip Flexors Will Help You With
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