infection as sign of cancer?

[halesmom]

Hi, I noticed pain in my breast a week ago, which by the next day was a full-blown infection. I have seen my doctor twice and taken lots of antibiotic. Yesterday she sent me to a breast surgeon. The infection is so much better but there is a huge lump there. An ultrasound yesterday was nonconclusive. I have to wait till next week for a mamogram and till the following week for the surgeon to be back from vacation. My question is did any of you find your cancer by having it become infected? The more the infection clears leaving justa lump the more nervous I am. This lump is way too large to have missed while doing self exams in the past but I haveen't had a mamogram for 20 months.

I'd be grateful for feedback no matter what it is.  Halesmom

[zouzi]

Hi,
Breast pain is not a common symptom of breast cancer.Many women have breast tenderness and pain, also called mastalgia. It may come and go with monthly periods (cyclic) or may not follow any pattern (noncyclic).

Noncyclic pain is most common in women 30 to 50 years of age. It may occur in only one breast. It is often described as a sharp, burning pain that occurs in one area of a breast. Occasionally, noncyclic pain may be caused by a" fibroadenoma" or "cysts".(Both benign finding) If the cause of noncyclic pain can be identified, treating the cause may relieve the pain.

Breast pain can get worse with changes in your hormone levels or changes in the medicines you are taking. Stress can also affect breast pain. You are more likely to have breast pain before menopause than after menopause.Also try to cut down on your caffeine intake.Best wishes..

PS:  If you have any other question,may I suggest to you to state your own new post by clicking on the green rectangle at the top of the page "Post a question"
When you add on an old thread,members assume it's another comment to the original post and will most likely overlook your question.

[Marsidos]

Have shooting pain coming from within breast area, right breast...
comes and goes....what is this?

[japdip]

Unless this were IBC and infection would not be related to breast cancer. I would wonder if the lump you describe is an abscess. A lump that appeared so suddenly wouldn't be an indication of breast cancer. Hopefully the Mammogram will shed some light on this subject and I'm surprised that the Ultrasound didn't snow more than what you indicate. Please keep us posted when you see the Breast Surgeon ...   Regards