scar tissue discomfort

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LynneG
LynneG Member Posts: 6
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I'm seven years post lumpectomy and radiation. The scar tissue has become a major problem during mammograms. Beyond painful - and it's getting worse each year.

I'd not been told anything about after care to reduce the scar tissue right after surgery and radiation. Is it too late now? And what can I do?

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2012

    Hi LynneG,

    Sorry you're dealing with this issue. While you wait for the ever-helpful advice from the ladies here, you might find the page on Scar Tissue Formation from the main Breastcancer.org site helpful.

    Best,

    Your Mods

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  • GabbyCal
    GabbyCal Member Posts: 277
    edited February 2012

    LynneG -

    I don't have your answer but am so glad you posted because - at 6 months out - my first mammogram was beyond painful. I've read many posts from women dreading the first post-treatment mammogram who later report it went smoothly with little or no discomfort. Mine hurt so much, I passed out! (Yes, while my recently-radiated breast was squished in the machine and the tech was at the console. There I was, literally, hanging by a breast.)

    The area continues to be extremely tender if anything bumps into it and doesn't seem to be improving.

    So, I too am awaiting to hear if others have information to share on this topic. 

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  • LynneG
    LynneG Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2012

    Wow! What a nightmare that must have been! Since your treatment was fairly recent, you need to find out about massage for the scar tissue. I've heard that it really helps. I didn't learn about it until recently, and don't know if it would help me now or not.

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  • GabbyCal
    GabbyCal Member Posts: 277
    edited February 2012

    Thanks LynneG. I'll look into the scar tissue massage. Do you have pain other than when the area is compressed or touched?

    Some women report that they get random pains out of nowhere or constant pains. These women don't seem to have problems with mammograms. I don't have any random pains, but boy, when the area is compressed or anything bumps into it, I jump out of my skin.

    Take care and hope you have success with the massage. I wonder if we'll hear from anyone else on this issue.  

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  • LynneG
    LynneG Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2012

    Generally, I do not have discomfort or pain unless the area is compressed. I can't lay on my stomach because of it. I was trying to break that habit anyway - makes wrinkles on your face. Wink

    Good luck to you, and hope time makes the tissue less sensitive.

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  • GabbyCal
    GabbyCal Member Posts: 277
    edited February 2012

    Sounds similar to what I've got going on, except I can sleep on my tummy. I can feel it when I do, but it doesn't hurt enough to stop me. I too am trying to break the tummy sleeping habit - only because of the face wrinkling aspect. I make through about half the night, then wake up and roll over and bunch the pillow up to keep as much as possible away from my face. It's quite the process.

    Have you looked into a different kind of imaging other than mammograms?

    My cancer was found on an MRI and I'm on an annual schedule for that, making me question the value of mammograms for my situation. If they didn't hurt, I wouldn't be questioning. Next time I'm going to tell them I need to do it sitting in a chair.  

    The Mayo Clinic has developed a procedure called Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) which sounds like it fills a middle ground between a mammogram and MRI. It's especially good for dense breasts. They take two 10-minute images of each breast, but compression is only about 1/3 of that used in a mammogram.

    Good luck both with the scar tissue and tummy sleeping! 

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  • Cassandra47
    Cassandra47 Member Posts: 3
    edited February 2012

    I started working with a physical therapist 4 weeks post surgery. Insurance covered it when it is billed as physical therapy (but my insurance does not cover massage therapy!). She massaged the heck out of that lump and got it to 1/8th the original size.She also gave me techniques to do at home. It is not too late! Have someone look at it now and work on reducing the tissue, it is critical to have full range of motion and no pain. 

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  • Cherilynn64
    Cherilynn64 Member Posts: 342
    edited February 2012

    Hi Cassandra,

     How did you find a PT that worked with breast cancer patients? Was the person recommended by your surgeon?

    Thanks! 

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