If you have breast cancer, you may undergo a number of cancer treatments, such as surgery to remove the cancer or the entire breast; chemotherapy to kill cancer cells throughout the body; hormone-based therapies to inhibit cancer growth; or radiation to target and kill cancer cells within the breast. Due to the aggressive nature of cancer therapy and the chance of cancer recurrence after treatment, you should remain vigilant and know how to recognize the warning signs of complications after breast cancer treatment.
Infection
The primary treatment for many breast cancer patients is surgery to remove the breast tumor. During breast cancer surgery, the doctor removes the entire breast tumor and some healthy surrounding tissue in an attempt to remove any remaining trace of cancer. You may experience infection at the surgical site that can occur as the surgical wound heals. Infection after breast cancer surgery is relatively common, affecting about 4 percent of patients receiving the treatment, according to BreastCancer.org. Warning signs of infection include excessive pain and swelling, redness, inflammation and fever. If left untreated, the infection may develop into an abscess that can destroy surrounding healthy tissue. Minimize your risk of infection by taking antibiotics after surgery and keeping the surgical wound clean.
Lightheadedness and Dizziness
These symptoms may indicate the presence of anemia that can occur after chemotherapy. Breast cancer chemotherapy drugs target and kill breast cancer cells but also harm other proliferating cells in the body, such as bone marrow cells that give rise to a number of blood cells. After a course of chemotherapy, damage to bone marrow cells decreases the number of new blood cells generated, decreasing the overall number of cells in the blood. A drop in red blood cell numbers leads to anemia, which causes the dizziness as well as fatigue, shortness of breath, and diminished mental function. Anemia can also worsen heart conditions and put excess stress on the heart, according to the Breast Cancer Network of Strength. Additionally, anemia may indicate low levels of other blood cells, leading to conditions that can prove harmful or fatal. If you're a breast cancer patient suffering from anemia, discuss your condition with a physician. This may require a break from chemotherapy to prevent the development of severe anemia.
Signs of Recurrence
Remain vigilant for the warning signs of breast cancer recurrence, which can occur months or years after cancer therapy. Breast cancer may recur at the site of the original tumor, leading to the development of a palpable lump around the site of surgery. Cancer may also develop within the chest muscles or within lymph nodes around the breast, leading to lymph node swelling and pain. Breast cancer can also recur in distant organs throughout the body, leading to a range of symptoms that can include shortness of breath, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, headaches or bone pain. Undergo routine tests to search for any cancer recurrence and discuss the development of any symptoms with a physician.
