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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Should I Worry About This?
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Should I Worry About This?
by KimG, Oct 11, 2001 12:00AM
About me: 34 years old, non smoker and bear no children.
A few months ago, I noticed what appeared to be like an mosquito bite on the lower bottom portion of my right areola (right breast). Needless to say, I scratched it constantly, which made it worse. Over time, 1 sore became 3 on my right areola (all about the same size, in different areas).
Shortly thereafter, the sores moved to my other breast! Same symptoms: itchy areas of the areola, which are often red. The only thing that stops them from itching is Diprolene, which I use in my ears (I have a similar skin condition in both of my ears).
Once I use Diprolene, it looks like dry skin where the sores were; it's flaky. When I stop using the Diprolene, they resume itching again (which does happen with my ears, as it is a chronic problem with them, due to allergies).
I don't know if this is coincidental, but these sores appeared shortly after I bought a water bra. I wore it for several months and figured that was the common denominator, so I stopped using the bra a few days ago but the problem persists.
Now I read about Paget's Disease of the Nipple and I am convinced I am dying of cancer but every place I read stated it usually affects only one breast.
As of right now, I have 3 red areas on my areola - on EACH breast. It doesn't appear to be on my nipple but the area of each breast is the same: bottom areola, side of the areola (facing inside of breast) and top of the areola.
They itch and are red naturally when I itch them. No discharge or bleeding.
I'm mortified I'm dying.
A few months ago, I noticed what appeared to be like an mosquito bite on the lower bottom portion of my right areola (right breast). Needless to say, I scratched it constantly, which made it worse. Over time, 1 sore became 3 on my right areola (all about the same size, in different areas).
Shortly thereafter, the sores moved to my other breast! Same symptoms: itchy areas of the areola, which are often red. The only thing that stops them from itching is Diprolene, which I use in my ears (I have a similar skin condition in both of my ears).
Once I use Diprolene, it looks like dry skin where the sores were; it's flaky. When I stop using the Diprolene, they resume itching again (which does happen with my ears, as it is a chronic problem with them, due to allergies).
I don't know if this is coincidental, but these sores appeared shortly after I bought a water bra. I wore it for several months and figured that was the common denominator, so I stopped using the bra a few days ago but the problem persists.
Now I read about Paget's Disease of the Nipple and I am convinced I am dying of cancer but every place I read stated it usually affects only one breast.
As of right now, I have 3 red areas on my areola - on EACH breast. It doesn't appear to be on my nipple but the area of each breast is the same: bottom areola, side of the areola (facing inside of breast) and top of the areola.
They itch and are red naturally when I itch them. No discharge or bleeding.
I'm mortified I'm dying.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-JS, Oct 12, 2001 12:00AM
Dear Kim, It sounds like this is more related to your other skin condition than having anything to do with Paget’s disease of the nipple.
Paget’s disease is a rare form of breast cancer. Symptoms usually associated with this are itching, redness, and spontaneous (not forced) nipple discharge. For Paget’s disease to be diagnosed requires a sample of the tissue to be examined under the microscope. Paget’s disease is almost never found on both breasts.
If this condition is not improving you probably should have it checked to make sure the Diprolene is the appropriate treatment.
Paget’s disease is a rare form of breast cancer. Symptoms usually associated with this are itching, redness, and spontaneous (not forced) nipple discharge. For Paget’s disease to be diagnosed requires a sample of the tissue to be examined under the microscope. Paget’s disease is almost never found on both breasts.
If this condition is not improving you probably should have it checked to make sure the Diprolene is the appropriate treatment.
I'm in the process of trying to locate a new gynecologist (after having the same one for 14 years!!) and before your reply, I WAS FRANTIC I would have to pick a new one so I could just quickly go to the doctor regarding this.
To clarify, the Diprolene is what I tried on my breasts because my ENT prescribed it for my ear condition, which my breasts nearly mimic; it was not prescribed for my breasts (which incidentally both of my ears are bothering me now).
Obviously I like your theory about the problem being related to my ear condition, but my ear condition I have had for YEARS and the breast condition was over the last few months. Granted, my breast problem is not constant but it's present and it's annoying.
Is what I'm experiencing common with my breasts? What normally causes this if you don't think it is cancer?
Aside from Paget's Disease, is this problem I'm experiencing indicative of any other breast cancer you know of?
Sorry for all the questions...I wasn't alarmed about this until I read about Paget's Disease of the Breast/Nipple.