Pain in rib area of radiation.

Hi,
I workout frequently and have the same swelling you are describing. I am scheduled for a lymph massage and pt for some muscle fibrosis across the pectorals muscle. Mayo couldn’t get me in for 9 weeks so I am doing lymph massage for myself and stretching the muscle.
My issue appears to be intermittent, but weight training does exacerbate the swelling and pain. Ask for a pt consult!! FYI my radiation was in November of 2025 and I am still dealing with pain and swelling. Just doing the best I can to keep moving. I hope you feel better. Good luck!

The name of the YouTube channel I use is called cancerRehabPT.

This is the post cancer pt website on YouTube I have been using. She has great videos on all kinds of lymph massage.
Hope this helps.
Jane

I had radiation after a lumpectomy in October 2024 and I have the same issue. I workout regularly with weights at the gym and feel pain in the ribs on my left side, in addition to having tight muscles in that area. I will ask my doctor about it when I see her in two weeks, and I try not to worry about it.

I had radiation to lung in early December and four months later started having significant pain when I breath/expand my chest. Radiation can thin bones and they suspect rib fracture. I will do CT scan to confirm

I am also experiencing pain...I do not know if it is from the radiation or just normal with double mastectomies. Everytime i put my arms up over my head, it hurts! My left "no breast" is really sore but the right "no breast" is getting a bit better. I asked the radiation MD and he said that it just takes time. I am seeing my shoulder MD tomorrow just on a normal visit....I will ask him for exercises or whatever to see if I can lessen the pain. But....always with a smile and lots of hope that this will get well.

I am almost 5 years past treatment and have rib pain.
I had to quit chair yoga because the twists and bends forward hurt my ribs. It took a long time to feel better.
I have to keep my bra loose around my ribs because that can hurt, also. When I am home I dont wear one.
I asked my surgeon if the radiation could effect ths ribs. He said yes they are right there, end of the conversation at that point.
I am better now. Weight training I did okay but kept kept getting colds so quit that as well. Now I have started rebounding.

@gailmarienewton your symptoms can be from radiation and/or surgery. Ask your doctor to send you to PT or OT, preferably someone who works with breast cancer patients. Best of luck to you!

Thank you.