>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 delays 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 is 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.