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As we know, the rollout of the COVID vaccine is now in full swing in the UK, and over the weeks young adults are being urged to receive their first dose of vaccination which will protect them against the coronavirus. But as with many vaccines, there can be side effects, and based on data from initial clinical trials, one vaccine in particular is known to produce symptoms that can easily be mistaken for breast cancer in women.
To make sure no one is afraid needlessly, we spoke with a cancer specialist to explain exactly why the side effect can occur after the vaccine and what it means. The the symptom in question is known as ‘lymphadenopathy ‘, better known as swollen lymph nodes. In clinical trials, it was found in about 11% of people who received Moderna vaccine after their first dose and 16% after their second dose in trials. The Moderna vaccine is not yet available in the UK – currently only Pfizer / BioNTech and Oxford / AstraZeneca are used here – but it would be launched in the spring so could come anytime in the coming weeks.
The Bottom line, if you notice lymphadenopathy as a result of the Moderna vaccine, you don’t have to worry. This is a known side effect, and you just need to monitor your body for a few weeks to make sure you don’t notice any other changes that could also be related to breast cancer. Here, Dr. Penny Kechagioglou, Clinical Breast Oncologist at GenesisCare, explains everything you need to know about swollen lymph nodes in relation to breast cancer, and why they can also occur as a side effect of the COVID vaccine- 19.
What is lymphadenopathy?
“Lymphadenopathy means swelling of the lymph nodes, which are oval shaped organs around our body and are part of our immune system that fights infection, “says Dr. Kechagioglou.” Lymph nodes are found in our neck, in our armpits and in our groin. , all areas that we can feel. They also exist inside our body and next to our organs, where we cannot smell. The most common cause of lymphadenopathy is infection, like a sore throat, and the lymph nodes are usually tender when this happens. Other causes of lymphadenopathy include cancer, drugs, and autoimmune diseases, ”she explains.
Why can swollen lymph nodes be a symptom of breast cancer?
“Breast cancer can cause the lymph nodes under the arm or neck to swell, usually on the same side as the cancer, but sometimes it can be on the opposite side. Lymph nodes tend to swell either because cells overproduce immune cells to fight breast cancer, ”says the oncologist. “If breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, the nodes are usually hard and painless, unlike those that are infected. If more than one lymph node in the armpits has cancer, patients may have swelling of the arm and / or hand (lymphedema) on the same side as the cancer. “
How common is lymphadenopathy as a symptom of breast cancer?
We are fairly well informed about the most common symptoms of breast cancer: a breast lump or swelling of the breast, breast pain, a sudden change in the shape of the breast, or an inversion of the nipple. But lymphadenopathy can be another indicator. “Swelling of the lymph nodes in the armpits without breast symptoms or signs is not a very common manifestation of breast cancer, but it can happen.“Advises Dr. Kechagioglou.” If lymphadenopathy is felt, especially if it is hard and painless, it should not be ignored and urgent specialist advice should be sought.
Why can swollen lymph nodes occur as a side effect of a COVID vaccine?
First of all, the oncologist explains that lymphadenopathy in the armpit or neck area on the same side as the injection of the COVID vaccine is “a normal reaction of the body in the area of the injection”. This is because your lymph nodes are “trying to fight off a potential infection” your body has been exposed to as a result of the bite. The doctor specifies, however, that this does not happen to everyone after a COVID vaccination. “Also, some people can feel the swollen nodes, but others don’t, and are not detected until people have their screening mammograms,” she says. [Note: mammograms are only routinely available to over 50s, so it’s not something many young women will experience.]
What should you do if you notice swelling of the lymph nodes after a COVID vaccine?
“If patients experience swelling of the lymph nodes in the armpits after the COVID vaccination and there are no other symptoms or signs of breast cancer as described above, then they need to monitor their nodes for a few days / weeks to see if they return to normal“Advises Dr. Kechagioglou.” If the lymph swelling goes away, then there is nothing more to do, “she adds.” However, if the nodes do not return to their normal size in a few weeks, if In the meantime, the lymph nodes become bigger and harder, or if people have other symptoms or signs of breast cancer, they should see an emergency doctor. to avoid unnecessary booster due to vaccination-induced lymphadenopathy.
The information in this story is accurate as of the date of publication. As we try to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the situation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic continues to develop rapidly, so it is possible that some information and recommendations have changed since their publication. For any concerns and final advice, visit World Health Organization. If you are in the UK, the National health service can also provide useful information and assistance, while US users can contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
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