Breast Cancer Symptoms

The symptoms I experienced appeared gradually over the course of several months in the following order: firmness akin to inflammation, red splotchiness in a different location, red orange-peel-like skin in a second location, raised red rash in a third location, and nipple inversion. I never experience heat, itchiness, or pain, although these are common symptoms. Also, I was lactating as my symptoms were developing, greatly confounding and delaying my diagnosis. If you have these symptoms and they are NOT relieved by a course of antibiotics, demand a biopsy. My inflammatory breast cancer was only discovered after I found a surgeon who was concerned enough to do a biopsy.

I first noticed the tuck after losing about 45-50 pounds through diet and exercise. It was maybe about 3/4" long and looked a bit like tiny elves had stitched a "seam" along the inside of my breast just under my left nipple. The tuck didn't hurt and didn't really bother me all that much until I noticed that whenever I raised my left arm, my breast would "crumple" in a bit. That seemed more disturbing to me.

Since I'm a journalist, I first decided to check around online to see if I could find anything that described what I was seeing. I went to a few sites like the American Cancer Society and WebMD and Komen to read about the warning signs of breast cancer and while most of them mentioned dimples, none of them mentioned tucks or dents or tethering, which is what seemed to be going on. All the sites did encourage women to go to their doctor if they noticed *any* change in their breast, however, so after about two weeks of mulling (and hiding my head in the sand), I decided I'd better get it checked out.

When my ob/gyn examined me, she said she could feel something in there but said it didn't feel cancerous. She thought it was most likely a cyst. Since I was due for my annual mammogram, though, she said she wanted me to get a diagnostic mamm and ultrasound. I have dense breast tissue so it was the ultrasound (not the mammogram) that found the three masses in my breasts, two on the left side (one corresponding to the tuck and one above the nipple) and another on my right breast. During my needle biopsy the following week, another mass was discovered within my right breast. I figured if nothing else, at least I was symmetrical.

If you have symptoms that are worrisome of IBC or Paget's disease of the breast it is important that you have a skin/punch biopsy to rule out this diagnosis.
I would urge any woman who is experiencing symptoms to get a second opinion such as seeing another pcp or even going to a dermatologist. If your insurance does not require referrals make an appointment to see a breast specialist/surgeon. Do NOT ignore any symptoms because every person has a different severity in their presentation of IBC or Paget's disease of the breast.
Hope that helps.
Heather
www.mybreastcanceranswers.com

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a clinical diagnosis, meaning the diagnosis is based on the visible changes to the breast. However, there are other symptoms, not all visible, that patients have reported.

Typical symptoms include (but are not limited to):
--rapid, unusual increase in breast size
--redness, rash, 'blotchiness' of breast skin
--what appears to be a 'bug bite' or 'bruise' that doesn't go away
--persistent itching of breast or nipple
--lump or thickening of breast tissue
--stabbing pain, soreness, heaviness, aching or breast feeding 'let down' feeling in the breast
--feverish bresat (increased warmth)
--swelling of lymph nodes under the arm or above the collar bone
--dimpling or ridging of breast
--flattening or retracting of nipple
--nipple discharge or change in pigmented area around nipple

One or more of the above symptoms may be present but seldom all. It is important to note that any of the above symptoms can be associated with a benign (non-cancerous) condition. However, it is important to report any breast change to your physician if it doesn't resolve within two weeks, on its own.

To see photos of various presentations of IBC, check out www.ibcresearch.org and the photo link on the left column.

Thank you! I first found my lump while lying on my bed doing a self-breast exam. Since my mom was a breast cancer survivor, I did self exams occasionally, but never thought I would actually find a lump. At first, I didn't believe I actually had a lump. I didn't know what a lump would feel like, and since I was only 27, I thought for sure it was probably just a normal part of my breast. But when I went to the gynecologist for a different health issue, he was very concerned about my lump.

I personally did not have the test for a genetic mutation. My mom went through testing just months before she died, and the tests did not find any mutations that are currently known about. I discussed the results with my oncologist, and he agreed with my mom's genetic counselor that I do not need to have genetic testing since my results would be the same as my mom's testing.

Metastases to skin as an initial presentation of early breast cancer is rare or uncommon. Metastases to nodes in the axilla (armpit) can occur even without an obvious breast tumor and rarely will occur without a primary breast tumor being evident even on MRI. Nodes are not usually found on the "back" of the arm.

Because I had so many fibroids, I was told to wait until after cycle was complete and if it was still there then have it checked. When I was diagnosed, I waited and when it didn't go away, I saw my doctor. My lump was the size of a golf ball protruding out my skin, but yet the doctor told me it was unlikely to be cancer because I was 35, nofamily history and the area was painful. He did do a needle biopsy to put my mind at ease. Unfortunately, he missed the tumor and therefore told me it was benign. Luckily, I decided to have it removed anyways because of the size and discomfort. That was when they realized there was a problem and a few days later I got the call while driving that I had cancer.

Be proactive but don't overreact. Don't be afraid to get a second opinion. Always write things down because I guarantee you will either forget or confuse things out of stress and nervoussness. Take someone with you if you are worried, it never hurts to have another person there for support and to help you digest all the information. And if you are overwhelmed, talk to someone who can point you to resources that would be best for you. trust your intuition and be aware if something isn't right. I pushed more than once knowing something was wrong and even when I was told I was over worried, I trusted myself and that made the difference.

Sometimes the symptoms can be less obvious too. In my case, I had a great deal of fatigue and sharp pains that were misdiagnosed as athsma. In younger patients with breast cancer, it can be more difficult to diagnose early (due to dense tissue), but regular checks and finding a doctor that takes any and all of your concerns seriously is important.