Paget's disease of the Nipple
The following was an email sent to me because I am on the email list of a Pregnancy Nurturing Center in Texas where people get assistance to keep their babies rather than abort them. It has been proven that breast cancer in some women has been linked to those women having had an abortion earlier in their life. It was confirmed at Snopes.com before publishing this article. Paget's disease of the Nipple, which this is, is not to be confused with Paget's disease of the bone, though the symptoms can be similar.
New kind
of Breast Cancer
Please tell 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, 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 prio r 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 breast cancer. (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 should suggest having a mammogram of both
breasts, done immediately. Ev en 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 tell 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.