Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Breast, underarm, shoulder, and forearm pain
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Breast, underarm, shoulder, and forearm pain
by desert girl, Jun 25, 2004 12:00AM
I'm 45 years old,female, & never been pregnant.Been having off/on pain behind/under my left breast and under left arm in the underarm area for about year and a half. At about the same time I started having perimenopause symptoms like hot flashes and my periods went from 28 days apart to 21. I'm not on any medications or HRT. 12 wks ago, I was having extreme shoulder pain around the top of my left shoulder which I think was caused by a new exercise I did in which I raised both my arms over my head while lying down. Felt an excruciatng pain in my left shoulder when trying the exer. for the 1st time.I had the shoulder xrayed and it came back negative. Dr thinks the shoulder pain due to a torn rotator cuff. At the same time that I had the shlder pain, underarm pain got really bad for about a week. Currently having off/on shou, underarm,and forearm pain and some hand numbness.Whenever I roll over on that arm, it wakes me up because it's painful. I mention all this in case it is related to my breast pain. Since the pain started, I've had 2 mammos, one in Oct 2002 and another in Oct. 2003. a chest xray, and chest CT. All have come back negative. 2 Drs performed breast exams on me and they felt nothing abnormal. My Dr wanted to send me for another screening mammogram but after talking to the lady at the Breast Care Center here she said I should be having a diagnostic mammo. since I am having pain. So I am going in for a diagnostic mammo. next week.Is it normal to have on/off breast pain and underarm pain for this long? Do you think I should have additional tests done?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Jun 25, 2004 12:00AM
Dear desert girl: Breast cancer is not usually painful. If the breast exams and mammograms are negative, then it is unlikely that cancer is the problem. Having said that, a breast specialist may be able to help you sort out your breast pain. Regarding the other pain you are having, it sounds orthopedic. If you have a torn rotator cuff (which would be confirmed by MRI), it can cause inflammation that could be pressing on a nerve and causing your forearm pain and numbness. You might consider an appointment with an orthopedic specialist to look into whether the shoulder is actually the source of more of your pain.
Member Comments (2)
by desert girl, Jun 25, 2004 12:00AM
To: CCF-RN,MSN-RF
Thank you very much for your answer.
by jazzey1, Apr 16, 2009 09:27AM
A related discussion, left shoulder, arm and breast pain-burning sensation was started.
