NEW KIND OF BREAST CANCER- an early warning!

NEW KIND OF BREAST CANCER- an early warning!



> > 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, it continued to
> > get worse, so
> > her doctor sent her for another mammogram. 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 was performed; then a
> > full round of
> > Chemo; then radiation. After about 9 months of intense
> > treatment, she was
> > given a clean bill of health.
> >
> > She had 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
> > a few days of
> > needing morphine, she died. She left this message to be
> > delivered to women
> > everywhere:
> >
> > Women, PLEASE be alert to anything 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 aureole. 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 not many women out there know a lesion or
> > rash on the
> > nipple or aureole can be breastcancer. (Mine started out
> > as a single red
> > pimple on the aureole. 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?
> >
> > 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 aureole area
> >
> > with a whitish thick looking area in center of nipple).
> >
> > 3. Usually only one nipple is effected. How is it
> > diagnosed? Your doctor
> >
> > will do a physical exam and would 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.