According to Australian Department of Health, inflamed lymph nodes are a less common side effect of the vaccinations.
A woman's inflamed lmph nodes after receiving the vaccination. Photo / Radiological Society of North America
In the US, where the vaccination rollout is further along than Australia, doctors have reported an influx of newly vaccinated women making mammogram appointments.
Dr. Laura Esserman, director of University of California San Francisco's Breast Care Center, said women were confusing swollen lymph nodes after the vaccine for signs of cancer.
"I'm sure hundreds of thousands of women will be affected by this for sure," said Esserman told ABC7 Chicago.
A study published by the Radiological Society of North America recently concluded vaccine-induced lymphadenopathy was an important side effect for clinicians, patients, and cancer researchers to be aware of as it could result in a false cancer diagnosis.
While it is not clear how long it takes for the swelling in some women's lymph nodes to go down, it is important to note, it is a "temporary" effect.
In Australia, women over 50 who require regular mammograms have been advised to either have a mammogram first, or delay it until six weeks after vaccination, to avoid any confusion.
What causes the swelling?
When people have vaccines in their upper arm, it's normal for the lymph nodes in the armpit on that side of the body to be activated and swell. It's your body preparing a protective immune response, The Conversation reports.
According to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, this type of swelling has not been reported with the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Swelling has been recorded in the US with the Moderna vaccine which is currently undergoing approval for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
'Pfizer boob job' claims
Social media has exploded with reports from women stating their breasts had "got bigger" – many wondering if they were imagining their symptoms.
"I feel like my boobs got bigger because of Pfizer or am I just hallucinating," one wrote on Twitter.
"I can confirm from personal experience that pfizer does indeed make ur boobs grow," another stated on the social media platform.
While one wrote: "Can confirm that the pfizer vax makes ur boobs grow ffs."
Many more shared their shock and delight at the change they've encountered with their body post-vaccination.
On TikTok others have shared videos of their breasts after being vaccinated, with a woman in the UK reporting she had gone up two cup sizes, from an A to a C.
Elle Marshall went viral after explaining in a video she was "so confused" by what was happening to her body as she had been an A cup her whole life.
