Persistent Arm/Shoulder Pain After Breast Cancer Surgery: Seeking Answers

Question
I am a 53year old who had breast cancer almost 9 years ago(medulary)with  treatment of lumpectomy,chemo and radiotherapy.Lymph glands were also removed.I appeared to recover well but in the last few months have got really bad pain in my arm/shoulder area  and movement is now becoming very limited also.At my yearly checkup when I mentioned this to the doctor she very nonchalantly said -oh it's just nerve pain-nothing to worry about.However it is beconming worse and limiting what I can do-difficult even getting dressed in the morning.Should I be worried-is this connected to my breast cancer?What can I do about it?By the way I live in the UK and was treated on the NHS.

Answer
Yes this IS a matter of concern! It is either a LATE unfortunate side effect of your surgery (maybe in combination with the radiation therapy) or a symptom of your cancer making a relapse, a third possibility is some orthopedic condition in your shoulder area. The British NHS system never fails to bewilder me! I suppose you have to go to your GP first? If so do that and ask to be refered to some experts that really can take care of you. Even if it is "just" a late side effect of your surgery I can unfortunately not promise any recovery. Please do keep me posted!