Headaches related to metastatic breast cancer

There can be many reasons for headaches. They may be related to stress and anxiety, a side effect of treatment or caused by the cancer itself. Headaches may be described as a throbbing, sharp or dull pain in the head. They can be mild or severe, and can occur occasionally or more frequently.

If you have a headache that doesn't go away, it is important to seek medical attention from your doctor.

Causes

Headaches may be due to:

• stress and anxiety
• muscular tension
• exhaustion and lack of sleep
• dehydration
• hypercalcaemia (high calcium levels in the blood)
• migraines
• side effects of treatments, such as anti-nausea medication.

If a headache persists and does not respond to medication, it is important to seek medical advice from your doctor to rule out any more significant cause. Sometimes ongoing headaches can be a symptom of metastases in the brain.

If your headache is sudden and severe, seek medical advice immediately. Out-of-hours, you should phone the emergency number given to you by your treating team or go to your local hospital emergency department. Do not wait until the next day to seek treatment.

Managing treatment-related headaches

It’s best to discuss any headache with your doctor so that they can investigate the cause and suggest the appropriate treatment.

Depending on the cause of the headache you may find the following suggestions helpful:

• drinking more water
• eating regular healthy meals
• using a heat pack on your neck to relieve tension
• seeing a physiotherapist for some exercises or strategies
• relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation
• getting plenty of sleep
• gentle exercise
• being aware of what triggers headaches such as caffeine, stress
• taking medications as directed by your doctor.