Chemotherapy for breast cancer can sometimes cause neck pain, especially for people who have an implanted infusion port in the upper chest. After port placement for breast cancer, some people notice soreness or neck discomfort during healing.

Implanted ports can make chemotherapy and blood draws easier, but they can also feel uncomfortable. Here’s what you need to know about neck pain with a port, ways to manage it at home, and when to call your oncologist.

1. Pain After Breast Cancer Port Placement and Healing Is Normal

It’s normal to have some pain during port placement and soreness as your body gets used to having a port under your skin. You may be offered numbing cream during placement and medication to help you relax and make the process more comfortable.

Bruising after port placement is also normal. Pain and soreness often start to improve over the next several days, but it can take a week or two for the area to feel much better. Call your doctor if the pain is getting worse instead of improving.

Many members of MyBCTeam feel that having a port has been very helpful. “As a person with stage 4 TNBC [triple-negative breast cancer], I am so thankful that I have a port,” said one member. “I’ve had it for 2 1/2 years, and it has been accessed 102 times for chemo, IVs for surgeries and procedures, contrasts for scans, and blood draws. I am grateful that it can remain in place and continue to make treatments and scans so much easier!”

“As a person with stage 4 TNBC [triple-negative breast cancer], I am so thankful that I have a port.”

— A MyBCTeam member

If you’re having neck pain and breast cancer treatment at the same time, small daily adjustments may help reduce discomfort around your port.

2. Small Adjustments Can Make a Difference

You may need to adjust the way you do everyday activities to avoid pain around your port. For example:

• Consider sleeping on your back with a supportive pillow to reduce neck strain.
• Avoid wearing clothing that creates friction with your port.
• Steer clear of uncomfortable tops or jackets.
• Don’t lift anything heavy until you’re cleared to do so.
• Be careful with handbags and backpack straps.

MyBCTeam members have talked about learning to avoid port pain. “I had pain in my neck after my port stopped being swollen,” explained one member. “They did a port dye check, which showed that everything was great. But I found out that if you are going shopping for the day, do not carry your heavy purse on the same side as your port.”

Connecting with others in breast cancer treatment can help you learn everyday tips for caring for your port and managing pain. Support from others, either online or in person, can make breast cancer treatment feel less isolating.

3. Your Care Team Can Help With Pain

Your care team needs to know when something feels wrong. It’s important to speak up for yourself if you’re worried about a problem with your port. Your healthcare team may be able to use your port less often or offer options, such as a local anesthetic, to help you feel more comfortable.

Members of MyBCTeam sometimes share how they handle port pain during doctor’s appointments. “The medical staff used freeze spray for numbing, but that alone doesn’t help much,” wrote one member.

“My port is very swollen, so my three bumps aren’t easily noticeable, which has caused problems when accessing it. I didn’t have a lot of pain when it was first put in, but after the first time they accessed the port for chemo, it’s been sore and uncomfortable ever since … I only let them access it for chemo because the discomfort is too much afterward.”

Another member shared a similar experience, “I had my doctor look at it a few times, and she said with some patients, their bodies just don’t react well to the port. I’ve had an ultrasound to make sure everything is in the right place, and it was. For me, my swelling hasn’t seemed to go all the way down, which makes it harder to access. I only use it for treatments. I don’t use it for blood samples because it’s too hard to access.”

If your port is causing you pain, tell your healthcare provider. They can evaluate your symptoms, check if you have a complication, and come up with a plan for the next steps.

4. Pain Can Be a Sign of a Complication

Infections and blood clots are two potentially dangerous complications of having an implanted port. Signs of infection can include increased pain in the area and swelling, oozing, fever, or chills. Infections are the most common complication with ports.

Blood clots can cause shortness of breath and swelling in other nearby body parts, like the arms and hands.

Contact your oncologist if:

• You notice any signs of infection.
• Your catheter or port isn’t working properly.
• You feel pain or discomfort.
• Your catheter or port shifts from its normal position.
• You have significant or uncontrollable bleeding from the catheter or port site.

Your doctor can help address any issues related to your catheter or port.

Call 911 or emergency services if:

• Your bandage fills with blood.
• You hear an unusual bubbling sound during a port flush.
• The skin covering your port, or the skin nearby, has split or come apart.
• Your heartbeat feels fast, uneven, or like it’s fluttering.
• You have head pain, trouble seeing clearly, and feel disoriented.
• You become short of breath.

A member of MyBCTeam warned others to be on the lookout for swelling. “I got a blood clot between the port and my heart. Watch for swelling in your left arm. The port was removed during the bilateral mastectomy. I get treatment in my arm now,” they shared.

Read any information you get when your port is placed so you know what signs and symptoms to expect. Don’t hesitate to follow up with your healthcare provider if something doesn’t seem right.

5. Take Pain Management Seriously

If you’ve been cleared of complications, there are basic steps you can take at home to prevent and reduce neck pain with a port. Pain management is an important part of breast cancer treatment at any stage.

People experience pain differently, so let your oncologist know when you need help. When pain is well managed, breast cancer will have less of an impact on your daily life. Talk with your oncologist about options such as:

• Discussing any over-the-counter pain medications you’re using, as certain types may interfere with your treatments
• Trying other ways to help with pain, such as hypnosis, acupuncture, or mindfulness meditation
• Meeting with a pain specialist at your cancer center to learn more about your options

Chemotherapy for breast cancer can be challenging enough, and neck pain related to an implanted port can add to the discomfort. Understanding what to expect after a chemo port placement for breast cancer may help you recognize what’s normal and when to call your doctor.

Join the Conversation

On MyBCTeam, people share their experiences with breast cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you had neck pain with a port for breast cancer? Do you have any tips for relieving this pain? Let others know in the comments below.