redcat
06-26-2008, 10:12 AM
This was an email sent to me - having had 4 (2 f / 2 m) family members go through bouts w/ breast cancer, I wanted to pass this information along to everyone...so we can all be more aware. I did a search online and seems to me this is real.
While this info is directed toward women....MEN, please be aware you can also be at risk for breast cancer. So, let's remember to do those monthly BSE's..sound like your doctor now, don't I? lol
> Please forward 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; the n 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. < / I>
>
> Now, I suspect not many women out there know a lesion or rash on the nipple or
aureole can be breast < FONT face=Tahoma color=blue size=5>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 infe ction, 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. 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 beginnin g, perha ps it would not
have spread...
While this info is directed toward women....MEN, please be aware you can also be at risk for breast cancer. So, let's remember to do those monthly BSE's..sound like your doctor now, don't I? lol
> Please forward 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; the n 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. < / I>
>
> Now, I suspect not many women out there know a lesion or rash on the nipple or
aureole can be breast < FONT face=Tahoma color=blue size=5>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 infe ction, 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. 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 beginnin g, perha ps it would not
have spread...