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Real members of MyBCTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Anyone who has completed radiation therapy must be aware of cording that can happen years down the road.

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Rochester, NY

One can have cording an not know it.

One should check if one can reach their arm up straight. I you find that the arm can not do this without a second push of the arm and that hurts to do, you may have cording.
Also one may have pain in their breast or shoulder when they raise their arm.

One should contact their doctor and get a referral to a certified lymphedema PT.

June 25
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Answer Summary

Members discussed cording after breast cancer treatment, sharing that it can occur even without lymph node removal and may not always show... Read more

Members discussed cording after breast cancer treatment, sharing that it can occur even without lymph node removal and may not always show visible cords, making self-advocacy and research essential for getting the right diagnosis. Several members shared helpful strategies including nerve glide exercises, resistance bands, moist heat, ultrasound therapy, cold red light laser treatments, pool swimming, and working with certified lymphedema therapists who have specific cording training. A recurring theme was frustration over not being warned about cording, lymphedema, and axillary web syndrome, paired with strong encouragement to seek specialized PT, ask about separate cording certifications, and push for formal diagnoses so insurance covers proper treatment.

A MyBCTeam Member

Hi Debbie, I should have added the link yesterday to the site online that offers training, should the PT be interested. I would assume she needs CEUs (Continuing Education Unitis) to keep her license up to date, so this may be something she may be interested in. Apparently, (according to the Course drop down menu) they offer several courses re: BC challenges. Good luck!
https://klosetraining.com/course/axillary-web-s...

Axillary Web Syndrome - Klose Training
Axillary Web Syndrome - Klose Training
https://klosetraining.com/course/axillary-web-syndrome/
June 29
A MyBCTeam Member

My physio gave me resistance band's as I ended up with pain in my neck,aswell as mild cording Left side from lifting even small weights..
I was worried it would make it worse, thankfully it corrected it...
My goodness, you really don't realise all these ailments can come with breast cancer...
Thanks Sue...you help more than you know 🥰

June 26
MyBCTeam

What a thoughtful and important heads-up to share — thank you! This is genuinely valuable advice from a MyBCTeam member, and it's worth highlighting for anyone who has gone through breast cancer surgery or radiation.

Cording, also known as axillary web syndrome (AWS), can develop days, weeks, or even years after treatment Show Full Answer

What a thoughtful and important heads-up to share — thank you! This is genuinely valuable advice from a MyBCTeam member, and it's worth highlighting for anyone who has gone through breast cancer surgery or radiation.

Cording, also known as axillary web syndrome (AWS), can develop days, weeks, or even years after treatment. It's more common than many people realize, and it can sometimes go unnoticed until it starts limiting movement.

Some signs to watch for include:

- Difficulty raising your arm straight above your shoulder
- Needing to "push through" resistance to fully extend your arm (which may be painful)
- Pain in the breast, shoulder, or underarm when lifting your arm
- A tight, cord-like feeling or visible bands running down the inner arm toward the wrist

The good news is that cording is not dangerous, but it does need attention. Reaching out to a doctor for a referral to a certified lymphedema physical therapist is absolutely the right move. Physical therapy has helped many people manage cording effectively. A MyBCTeam member shared that after several PT sessions involving massage and stretching — though uncomfortable — their cording fully resolved after about three months.

Early treatment is key to avoiding long-term issues with arm and shoulder movement, so don't wait if something feels off!

June 25
A MyBCTeam Member

Good evening Sue10. Great information you're sharing. So far I have not experienced cording after radiation treatments. I will keep exercising and noticing anything unusual about my arms. Appreciate you 🙏😊🌹✝️

June 26
A MyBCTeam Member

My oncologist has been trying to get me to PT for lymphedema for nearly 6 months. I thought I was doing well on my I own, that is until I finally went to PT. Wow, did she prove me wrong. Not only do I have lymphedema in my breast, but cording and knots in my arm, chest and ribs. I would advocate for any women who had surgery and or radiation, to automatically make an appointment to a certified lymphedema therapist as part of their follow up care. It is that important! Your team should help with that! Best of luck ladies! 🙏❤️

July 21

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