Does breast cancer cause pain in these areas?

[TXMomOfFaith]

Would breast cancer cause pain in the shoulder, armpit, ribs, back, arms, neck, jaw and sometimes the pain runs down the leg.

[japdip]

Breast Cancer is rarely associated with pain in any part of the body.

[TXMomOfFaith]

Thank you for replying. The armpit area that has the lump in it is on my left side. The left side of my body has been giving me problems since about Thanksgiving. I get lots of dull aches and cramps in my arm, shoulder, ribs, back, neck an even my left jaw and left side of my head. It often runs down the back of my leg too. The lump made me immediately think of breast cancer but now I am wondering if all these pains are not common with breast cancer, then perhaps that not it. I feel so tired all the time and just sick in general although I have no fever, sore throat or stuffiness at all.  I had a cousin by marriage who had breast cancer and I remember them talking about how much pain she was in, but now I am wondering if maybe that was just from the chemo?

If breast cancer causes no pain then how do people first realize something is wrong?

[japdip]

It is usually discovered either when one finds a lump in the breast OR by routine Mammogram.

[Joy1121]

I had ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive ductal carcinoma.  It DID hurt for years! My mammogram finally showed  a change this year when it became invasive.  The area of spiculation was 2 cm and assumed to be benign calcifications for ten Years! Get a second , third or fourth opinion if needed and get a biopsy.

[Strike3]

If you've had a lump since Thanksgiving and it hasn't gone away, I recommend you go immediately to see a doctor and ask about it. It could be a swollen lymph node.

There are lots of reasons lymph nodes become swollen (including infection). Your doctor can help explain and work on a diagnosis.

Please go and see a doctor as soon as you can.

Good luck.

[zinnia11]

I had pain in my left breast one evening and I felt a large lump where I had not felt one before.  I thought the painful breast was just related to my monthly period hormonal cycle.  I often had painful breasts every month.  In the morning I felt the pain again and the large lump was still there.  I was only 37 so I had never had a mamogram before.  The doctors I saw always said I didn't need one until I was 40.  Well, I got the mammogram, saw the doctor, and was told to get a biopsy.  It turned out that I had an aggresive stage 4 her2 negative breast cancer.  Fortunately, I received excellent care and now I am 39 and in remission.  If I had ignored the pain, I would probably not be here today.  I know that everyone says that cancer almost never causes pain, but if you feel like something is wrong, don't wait to get it checked out.  It could save your life.