breast cancer

[myauntiem]

My 23 year old daughter came to me with what looked like a small inflamed area close to her nipple that she said was painful.  It was warm and slightly pinkish in color(about an inch).  There seemed to be a hard unmoveable mass under the nipple... kind of like a milk duct infection, yet she is not pregnent or nursing.  Her gyn gave her an antibiotic after which she developed a rash on chest and neck.  Dr change antibiotic but rash spread to legs. Although the mass still is there, it is less painful now.  Should she question the dr about IBC? Isn't it strange for a non nursing woman to have a breat infection? I am obsessivly worried and would love some good news!

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear myauntiem:  It is most common to have mastistis (breast infection) while lactating.  However, infection can also occur, though uncommonly, in women who are not lactating.  These may present as abscesses, which can be drained.  As uncommon as breast infections are in young women, inflammatory breast cancer is also very uncommon in this age group.  If the mass and redness persists, it is reasonable to have it re-evaluated, preferrably a breast specialist.

[myauntiem]

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question.  I found your answer very helpful.

[surgeon]

infections occur most commonly in nursing women, but they can occur in anyone. Also, not every infection -- especially one at the surface -- is actually a "breast" infection: skin glands can cause infection anywhere. IBC would be extremely rare at that age, nor does it usually present as a very localized lump with redness over it. It needs to be followed to a clear conclusion; and might need minor surgical attention if it's not clearing up quickly (meaning drainage or an abcess or removal of a skin cyst.) Seeing a surgeon if it doesn't fully respond soon might be necessary.