Carol G.
I got this email from a friend who also passed it along. > RARE FORM OF BREAST CANCER from Juanita Bush>> > In November, a rare kind of breast cancer was found. The sister > of my friend 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 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 it returned to > the> liver area.She took 4 treatments and decided that she wanted quality of > life,> not the after effects of Chemo. We 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. Her message is shown below. And PLEASE-Be alert to> any > thing that is not normal, and be persistent in getting help as soon as > possible.> 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> are > 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!