Many of you have surely heard of Paget's disease, which is a serious bone disease, but many of you have not heard of Paget's disease of the breast, so I hope that the ladies reading this article will take note of the content, because they might have this disease at some point in their lives get.
What is Paget's disease of the breast?
It is an eczema-type change in the skin of the nipple, and most women who develop it will have an underlying breast cancer.
Occurring in about 1 to 2% of women who have breast cancer, Paget's disease first appears as a scaly red rash affecting the nipple and areola. It can be very painful, it can bleed, and it won't go away.
This disease can be difficult to diagnose because it can be very similar to other skin problems such as eczema or dermatitis, but this disease usually first affects the nipple and then spreads to the areola, while other skin problems usually start in the surrounding areas first. before extending to the nipple.
I was asked to include the following in this article, it is taken from a real case where a person with an illness wanted you to pass this message on to all the ladies in your life, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts and Friends.
"One lady developed a rash on her breast similar to that of young nursing mothers. Because her mammogram was clear, the doctor treated her with antibiotics for infections.
After two treatments it kept getting worse, her doctor sent her for another mammogram and this time it turned out to be a mass.
A biopsy revealed a rapidly growing cancerous tumor. Chemotherapy was started to shrink the growth; then mastectomy; then a full round of chemotherapy; followed by radiation treatment.
After about 9 months of intensive treatment, she received a clean bill of health. She had one year to live every day to the fullest. She underwent four treatments and decided she wanted quality of life, not the side effects of chemotherapy.
She had 5 great months and planned every detail of the last days.
After only a few days of needing morphine, she slipped out and said she had done what God sent her into the world to do.
PLEASE pay attention to any thing that is not normal.
Her message is shown below:
“Paget's disease: This is a rare form of breast cancer and occurs on the outside of the breast, in the nipple and areola. It looked like a rash which later became a lesion with a crusted outer border. I never thought it was breast cancer, but it was. My nipple never felt different but the rash bothered me so I went to the doctor about it. Sometimes it itched and hurt, but otherwise I didn't mind.
It was just ugly and uncomfortable and couldn't be removed with all the creams my doctor and dermatologist prescribed for the dermatitis on my eyes just before this outbreak.
They looked a little worried. Mine started as a single red pimple on the areola. One of the biggest problems with Paget's disease of the nipples is that the symptoms seem harmless. It is often thought to be a skin inflammation or infection, leading to unfortunate delays in detection and care.
What are the symptoms? Symptoms include:
Persistent redness, discharge and crusting of the nipple causing itching and burning. (As I mentioned, mine wasn't very itchy or burning or oozing that I was aware of, but it did have a crust on one side on the outer edge.)
A sore nipple that won't heal. (Mine was on the areola area with a whitish thick looking area in the center of the nipple).
Usually only one nipple is affected. How is it diagnosed? Your doctor will perform a physical exam and should suggest an immediate mammogram of both breasts.
Although the redness, oozing and crusting is very reminiscent of 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's going on.
This message should be taken seriously and passed on to as many of your relatives and friends as possible; it can save someone's life
My breast cancer had spread and metastasized to my bones after receiving mega doses of chemotherapy, twenty eight radiation and taking Tamaxofin.
If it had been diagnosed as breast cancer early on, it might not have spread.”
TO ALL READERS: It is sad because women are not aware of Paget's disease.
As we all know, early diagnosis is so important for all kinds of diseases, so if you have any doubts about any health problem, make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible.
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