Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Staph

(6,251 posts)
Tue Mar 9, 2021, 07:14 PM Mar 2021

A warning for cancer survivors who get the COVID-19 vaccine:

I had my once-every-six-months CT scan last week, to verify that my endometrial cancer has not returned for the third time. The oncologist came into the exam room with a serious face - my existing cancer is stable, but there is a worrying enlargement of a lymph node in my left armpit. He will schedule a PET scan, a mammogram, and an appointment with a breast cancer specialist.

Needless to say, I've been in full panic mode for five days. A new cancer to deal with, after seven years of surgery and chemo and radiation and immunotherapy!

Then today, my mother pointed out an article in the local newspaper -- cancer specialists are warning that enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit or collarbone area may be due to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. When your body is reacting to the vaccination, your lymph system has to clean up after the fight.

My enlarged lymph node is on the same side as my second vaccination, which was ten days before the CT scan. Tomorrow, I'll call the oncologist, to suggest that we just update my mammogram, and hold the other tests and appointments until those results are back.



https://www.herald-dispatch.com/ap/swelling-after-covid-19-shots-may-cause-cancer-false-alarms/article_3a279b96-e41b-5bef-8325-074814fa9607.html


Cross-posted in General Discussion


9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
A warning for cancer survivors who get the COVID-19 vaccine: (Original Post) Staph Mar 2021 OP
Wow. I hope the enlarged node is just the result iemitsu Mar 2021 #1
I had no reaction to the first shot - Pfizer, Staph Mar 2021 #2
I hope all will be well with you. iemitsu Mar 2021 #4
A friend found out last week that her breast SharonClark Mar 2021 #3
I went off maintenance chemo for the month moonscape Mar 2021 #5
Covid vaccines are showing artifacts (in lymph nodes) in mammograms. Best to wait... FailureToCommunicate Mar 2021 #6
Scary cate94 Mar 2021 #7
Thanks for this post. Hope the enlargement is some minor reaction and it subsides soon. iluvtennis Mar 2021 #8
Surprised your oncologist didn't know about this dhol82 Mar 2021 #9

iemitsu

(3,888 posts)
1. Wow. I hope the enlarged node is just the result
Tue Mar 9, 2021, 07:20 PM
Mar 2021

of the vaccine and that it will disappear.
I got sick after each shot. Worse after the second. My arm is still sore.
I'm glad I got the vaccine. At least there is hope to get out of the house again.
Good luck.

Staph

(6,251 posts)
2. I had no reaction to the first shot - Pfizer,
Tue Mar 9, 2021, 07:26 PM
Mar 2021

and an overwhelming tiredness after the second. I sleep most of the day away, the day after the second shot. I never noticed the lymph node.


SharonClark

(10,014 posts)
3. A friend found out last week that her breast
Tue Mar 9, 2021, 07:53 PM
Mar 2021

cancer has returned in her nodes near her arm pit. As a result, she got her covid jab in her upper leg.

moonscape

(4,673 posts)
5. I went off maintenance chemo for the month
Tue Mar 9, 2021, 09:22 PM
Mar 2021

between Moderna vaccines to give my body the best chance to create antibodies, and was delighted the last 2 days to have fever and extra fatigue as a sign I still have an immune system

Some people reported certain cancer markers in their bloodwork were elevated after the vaccine, but don’t know if they went back down. My next chemo and bloodwork is next week and am a bit anxious, but feel I made the best decision. In a battle with covid unvaccinated, covid would have the better odds.

Surely hope you get the best report, and very sorry you are dealing with this worry

FailureToCommunicate

(14,013 posts)
6. Covid vaccines are showing artifacts (in lymph nodes) in mammograms. Best to wait...
Tue Mar 9, 2021, 09:40 PM
Mar 2021

a month or two if possible.

iluvtennis

(19,850 posts)
8. Thanks for this post. Hope the enlargement is some minor reaction and it subsides soon.
Tue Mar 9, 2021, 09:56 PM
Mar 2021

Keep us posted.

dhol82

(9,352 posts)
9. Surprised your oncologist didn't know about this
Tue Mar 9, 2021, 09:59 PM
Mar 2021

It’s been making the rounds of the lay press for a week. It must have been in the medical alerts already.

Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Cancer Support»A warning for cancer surv...