PREVENTING CELLULITIS AFTER BREAST CANCER | Infection risk after lymph node removal or radiation

[@katrinahammond8833]

Thanks Jen, As always, the information you provide is most valuable and really comprehensively explained. We breast cancer patients so frequently undergo surgery and treatment, but are then unaware of so many possible complications that develop afterwards. I ended up in hospital with an IV drip for 3 days to treat Cellulitis. Your treatment of my predicaments, and information imparted, have always been excellent. This is a great platform to share your knowledge about Cellulitis.

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

As you know Katrina, you inspired this video and I am very grateful to you for that inspiration. You will have helped many people because of it! Jen xx

[@knead4massage]

Great info Jen. When I was DX with cellulitis I had absolutely no skin breakdown & skin integrity was good. Drs were at a loss to explain cause. However on presentation to OT at lymph clinic at hospital she questioned further & asked if I had become run down which I had due to family member having to go to hospital etc. She then explained that even getting really run down was enough to let the cellulitis take hold as the bacteria sitting in the clogged (radiated) lymph vessels was enough to trigger it. Obviously really important to do self lymph drainage on a daily basis as well as get rest.

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

Hi Judith! I too have heard this scenario before. I should have put it in the video. Increased stress levels can lower immunity which is the possible basis for cellulitis starting during periods of run down. Thank you for sharing your story! Jen x

[@crispykmm9646]

Yep me too. No obvious skin break down or cuts. But my doc also said , the nasty bacteria, as opposed to the good ones on our skin, can get in the smallest of microscopic holes. It also happened to me after a really really busy day, so run down,less sleep, less hydrtaion, less self massage and all that.Its so easy to dismiss 'skin care' , but the more i learn the more i understand. Nails too- really important to moisturise cuticals so don't get hard dry nail quicks as well as making sure I help move my lymp fluid a few times every day, compression etc.

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

Thanks for adding this too - I should make a follow-up video or editor's note in another video, because this is an important point. Possibly not researched but certainly anecdotal evidence. Jen x

[@crispykmm9646]

Another great video Jen. Fab topic and target. I agree, so many ladies post breast cancer surgery possibly not aware of the risks and they do need to know what to look for and the importance to get medical attention asap.They may get told it but in the rush of infomation overload post surgery, it is easliy forgotten . So bite sized ,watch at home content is great. Be alert. Not alarmed. Moisturise and massage ! Shine the light on our important lymphatic system !Cellulitis can happen to anyone, not just oldies or people with lymphoedema. I never knew how important our whole lymphatic system was until I got lymphoedema in my arm, but I should have learnt about it way before then. Thanks for making great, fresh,targeted, educational Aussie content for the breast cancer community.

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

Thank you so much for your lovely positive feedback! I really appreciate you watching and commenting. Glad this video resonated with you! Jen x

[@carigalla811]

😊 Thanks Jen for keeping us informed.I didn't know about this.

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

My pleasure Cari! This is such an important topic to be made aware of. Thanks for commenting and watching. Jen

[@elizabethwatson2306]

Thanks Jen - wish I had known all this a year ago - it would have saved me 6 days hooked up to a drip in hospital - evidently this type of anitbiotic can only be administered through a canula. Which shows up other problems in the opposite arm, with veins not cooperating, age related! Luckily so far the main problem I had was boredom in a room alone! Being more careful with moisturer has so far helped a lot in preventing a repeat! Laura Watson

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

Thanks for sharing your story Laura! Sadly a lot of people are not educated on this very important topic. Thanks for watching and commenting! Really appreciate it. Jen x

[@pamjones3377]

I’ve just had axillary clearance on my affected side, so I’m grateful to know what to watch out for. Thank you.

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

Thank you for watching and commenting Pam! Glad this video was helpful. Jen x

[@kriscaldwell9773]

This was very helpful information! I was told about the chance of lymphedema after my DMX and sentinel node removal but not about cellulitus. I'm 16 months out from my last surgery and have a a breast infection. I've been so sick and it's so painful. I will try moisturizing.

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

Hi Kris, getting a breast infection is a horrible experience. I've launched a Private Group on Facebook 'The Compass Community' - a global online Breast Cancer Education & Support Network with free weekly live education sessions and Q&A, including discussions on lymphoedema prevention and skin care. There is much more interaction on this platform. Here is the link if you would like to join: facebook.com/groups/breastcancercompasscommunity

[@TineBuechler]

Wow, I could have benefited from this information. I am past my bout of cellulitis now, but I could have caught it much earlier

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

Thank you for your lovely feedback! I have a Private Facebook Group called 'The Compass Community' - a global online Breast Cancer Education & Support Network with weekly live education sessions and Q&A. I will be able to assist you more on this platform. Here is the link if you would like to join: facebook.com/groups/breastcancercompasscommunity

[@robynhollier2551]

Thank you for sharing this information Jen. I am always keen to understand the ongoing possible issues after breast cancer. xox

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

Thanks Robyn! Hope you are going well! Appreciate you watching and commenting. Jen x

[@angelacrutcher2308]

Can it happen without radiation just lumpectamy?

[@jensardam3429]

Wow, I had never heard of this. Thanks for informing!

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

You're most welcome Jen! Glad the video was helpful. Jen x

[@nataliekhalilrealtor]

I’m glad to always have all the information. Whether I want more issues or not. I had a home nurse explain that Lymphadema was very serious. I had no idea. I don’t want it, but happy to know that it could happen and what to watch for. Thank you for your very informative videos!

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

Hi Natalie, thanks for your comment. I have a Private Facebook Group called 'The Compass Community' - a global online Breast Cancer Education & Support Network with weekly live education sessions and Q&A. I will be able to assist you more on this platform. Here is the link if you would like to join: facebook.com/groups/breastcancercompasscommunity

[@mslady1592]

Doc you are a beautiful gem 💎 so THANK YOU and shame on my Onc team! It is really unfortunate and annoys me that my Onc & other Docs have not even mentioned what seems to be this extremely vital information to me and I have to luckily just catch it randomly on KZbin then present it to them after the fact just to have them say "Oh yeah that's a microscopic less than 0.7644% possibility so you probably won't have to worry about that!"... which to me feels deceptive like I'm being patronized and lied to. I get they don't want to deter us from going through with the treatment however I like the dignity of having ALL the factors good & bad presented to me so I can atleast know what to expect, know what to look out for so I can make sound decisions on my care!! So in fact it does the opposite and is just the kind of medical deception that would actually deter me from even wanting to keep continuing any treatments... however I know the importance of doing as much as possible to give myself a fighting chance to hopefully go into remission permanently or as long as possible so

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

Thank you for your lovely feedback! I am hearing you! I have a Private Facebook Group called 'The Compass Community' - a global online Breast Cancer Education & Support Network with weekly live education sessions and Q&A. I will be able to assist you more on this platform. Here is the link if you would like to join: facebook.com/groups/breastcancercompasscommunity

[@seriouslyhappy4083]

Hi Jen, another great video! Question: is this why we’re told not to shave our armpit with anything other than an electric shaver? Would plucking the hairs be acceptable if one takes care not to pinch the skin?

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

Thank you for your positive feedback! I will do a video on the topic of shaving and lymphoedema. My question to anyone wanting to shave their armpits - how often do you or have you cut yourself shaving? If the answer is rarely or never, then it should be very safe to continue that activity. If you cut yourself all the time then laser is possibly the best option. I like the idea of LIVING after Breast Cancer as much as possible, rather than being overly cautious when there is no evidence to suggest doing so. Jen

[@seriouslyhappy4083]

@@TheBreastCancerPhysio Thank you so much! And I will look forward to that video for sure! 😃

[@motherofdaughters4722]

Thank you

[@veronicaskoch3757]

Had it twice , exactly how it looked . Put me in hospital got intravenous antibiotics

[@shankin2204]

Hi Thanks Jen I feel I was not informed about this issue and how prevalent it is when radiation has been used.

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

Hi and thanks for watching and commenting! Yes unfortunately it is "just another topic" in Breast Cancer where people tell me all the time that they're not made aware but also educated. I hope this video helped. Jen x

[@marystewart1125]

I got it after a. Am Ingram when the skin under my breast had micro tears. So take extra care after a mammogram and keep the u dear breast area extra clean.

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

Hi Mary! Thanks for commenting and watching. Interestingly this was the same circumstance as my patient who I mentioned in the video. (Assuming you meant to write mammogram?).

[@jensardam3429]

What do you think about radiation dermatitis? I read that silver can really help, so I bought a colloidal silver soap and cream.

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

Hi Jen, funny you should ask - I am about to investigate silver for another patient as she is one week into radiation. I will let you know when I found out if silver can be utilised for radiation dermatitis. Jen

[@jensardam3429]

@@TheBreastCancerPhysio thanks… I’m interested in hearing more!

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

@@jensardam3429 I will let you know once I get a reply from the Radiation Oncologist and Radiation Nurse. I have emailed them this morning. Jen x

[@gemmaaddis3105]

hi i had breast cancer treatment 2020 had lumpectomy and radiotherapy had breast cellulitus about 10 times since every 8-10 weeks spreads round to my back and whole of breast

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

Hi Gemma, that is a lot of episodes of cellulitis. Do you feel you're staying hydrated and keeping your skin moisturised regularly? I have a Private Facebook Group called 'The Compass Community' - a global online Breast Cancer Education & Support Network with weekly live education sessions and Q&A. I will be able to assist you more on this platform. Here is the link if you would like to join: facebook.com/groups/breastcancercompasscommunity

[@gemmaaddis3105]

@@TheBreastCancerPhysio i get sores under breasts so i think thats maybe where infection is getting in the only thing that clears it is steroid cream will defo try and moisturise more hate the feel of boob since op and try not to touch it Thankyou will join

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

@@gemmaaddis3105 I see you've joined Compass. I'll be doing a session on Radiation Fibrosis (which is probably the cause of your cellulitis) Feb 16th. Jen

[@veronicaskoch3757]

I was at work an started to feel fluish

[@TheBreastCancerPhysio]

Hi Veronica, flu-like symptoms can be a potential side of infection but not always. I have a Private Facebook Group called 'The Compass Community' - a global online Breast Cancer Education & Support Network with weekly live education sessions and Q&A. I will be able to assist you more on this platform. Here is the link if you would like to join: facebook.com/groups/breastcancercompasscommunity