Someone sent me this. >>>Subject FwBreast Cancer Info. Please read >>> >>>This is a very important message..... >>> >>>Subject PAGET'S DISEASE OF THE NIPPLE >>> >>>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 >>>went to my doctor for that. Sometimes it itched and was sore, but other >>>than that it didn't really 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. >>> >>>What are the symptoms? 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 disease which interferes with its detection >>>and care. >>> >>>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. >They >>>will take a sample of your breast tissue in that area to test for cancer. >>> >>>If the cancer is only in the nipple and not in the breast, your doctor >>>may recommend just removing the nipple and surrounding tissue or suggest >>>>radiation treatments. Had my doctor caught mine right away, instead of >>>flaking it off as dermatitis perhaps they could have saved my breast and >>>it wouldn't have gone to my lymph nodes. >>> >>>This message should be taken seriously and passed on to as many of your >>>friends as possible, it could save someone's life. My breast cancer has >>>spread and metastasized to my bones, this after receiving mega doses of >>>chemotherapy, 28 treatments of radiation and taking tamoxifen. If this >>>had been diagnosed in the beginning as breast cancer and treated right >away >>>perhaps it would not have spread........ >>> >>>I did try to spread the word through Rosie O'Donnell show on breast >>>cancer awareness but it failed trigger importance enough to announce on >>>her show last year. This is sad, as woman are not aware of Paget's >>>disease. If by passing this around on the e-mail we can make others >>>aware of it and it's potential danger we are helping women everywhere. >>> >>>Thanks for taking the time to share. Kathleen B. Bruce, BSN, IBCLC co-owner Lactnet,TLC, Indep. Consultant Williston, Vermont mailto:[log in to unmask] LACTNET Archives http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/lactnet.html *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html