[UWAB] Unusual form of Breast Cancer

[Kathy Pham]

>  This is just because I love you gals and want you to take care of
>  yourself!!! Pass it on to other important women in your life!!!!
>
>
>
>        Subject: unusual form of Breast Cancer
>
>        A woman in our church also has this type of cancer which
>        began as a rash on the back of her neck. She went to a
>        dermatologist for two months before her regular doctor
>        biopsies it. Last Monday evening the cancer doctors from
>        Little Rock had a forum, and not one of them mentioned this
>        rash as a symptom.
>
>        New kind of Breast Cancer - DO NOT DELETE
>        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; 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 prior 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 de lays 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 i!
>        s 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 forward 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.

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