A New Kind of Breast Cancer

[Guest guest]

This was sent to me and I am forwarding it to you. I went to

this web site to get more info.

http://www.cancerbacup.org.uk/Cancertype/Breast/Typesofbr

eastcancer/Pagetsdisease

Ladies: If we are educated about this terrible disease

perhaps we can prevent it from taking another life.

New kind of Breast Cancer - DO NOT DELETE

Please forward to all of the women in your lives.

Mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, friends, etc.

In November, a rare kind of breast cancer was found. A lady

developed a rash on her breast, similar to that of young mothers who

are nursing. Because her mammogram had been clear, the

doctor treated her with antibiotics for infections. After 2 rounds and

it continued to get worse, her doctor sent her for another

mammogram, and this time it showed a mass.

A biopsy found a fast growing malignancy. Chemo

was started in order to shrink the growth; then a mastectomy;

then a full round of Chemo; then radiation. After about 9 months of

intense treatment, she was given a clean bill of health.

One year of living each day to its fullest. Then the cancer

returned to the liver area. She took 4 treatments and decided that she

wanted quality of life, not the after effects of Chemo. She had 5 great

months and she planned each detail of the final days. After just a few

days of needing morphine, she slipped away saying she had done what

God had sent her into the world to do and now it was her time to go.

PLEASE be alert to any thing that is not normal, and be

persistent in getting help as soon as possible.

Her message is shown below:

Paget's Disease: This is a rare form of breast cancer, and is

on the outside of the breast, on the nipple and areola. It appeared

as a rash, which later became a lesion with a crusty outer edge. I would

not have ever suspected it to be breast cancer but it was. My nipple

never seemed any different to me, but the rash bothered me, so I went

to the doctor for that Sometimes, it itched and was sore, but other

than that it didn't bother me. It was just ugly and a nuisance, and

could not be cleared up with all the creams prescribed by my doctor and

dermatologist for the dermatitis on my eyes just prior to this

outbreak. They seemed a little concerned but did not warn me it could

be cancerous. Now, I suspect there a reason, not many women out there

who know a lesion or rash on the nipple or areola can be breast cancer.

Mine started out as a single red pimple on the areola. One of

the biggest problems with Paget's disease of the nipple is that the

symptoms appear to be harmless. It is frequently thought to be a skin

inflammation or infection, leading to unfortunate delays in detection

and care.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms include:

1. A persistent redness, oozing, and crusting of your nipple

causing it to itch and burn. (As I stated, mine did not itch or burn

much, and had no oozing I was aware of, but it did have a crust along

the outer edge on one side.)

2. A sore on your nipple that will not heal. (Mine was on the

areola area with a whitish thick looking area in center of nipple).

3. Usually only one nipple is affected.

How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor will do a physical exam and should suggest having a

mammogram of both breasts, done immediately. Even though the redness,

oozing and crusting closely resemble dermatitis (inflammation of the

skin), your doctor should suspect cancer if the sore is only on one

breast. Your doctor should order a biopsy of your sore to confirm what

is going on.

This message should be taken seriously and passed on to as many

of your relatives and friends as possible; it could save someone's life.

My breast cancer has spread and metastasized to my bones

after receiving mega doses of chemotherapy, 28 treatments of radiation

and taking Tamaxofin. If this had been diagnosed as breast cancer in

the beginning, perhaps it would not have spread... TO ALL READERS:

This is sad as women are not aware of Paget's disease. If, by passing this

around on the e-mail, we can make others aware of it, and its potential danger,

we are helping women everywhere.

Please, if you can, take a moment to forward this message to as

many people as possible, especially to your family and friends.

It only takes a moment, yet the results could save a life!