IBC aged 23?

olivialeah

Hey I’m 23 and really concerned I have IBC. My armpits have been itchy for about 7 months now I’d say but I didn’t really take much notice. It was only today when I googled it that IBC came up. I checked my breasts and found that both have an orange peel like appearance so now I’m petrified. My nipples look fine, both breasts seem normal size, feel as soft as usual and aren’t tender or red, although perhaps the veins look more noticeable than usual. There’s also some pink/red spots on them that look like the kind you get on your face. I’ve had these before and they eventually went away so I just didn’t think it was significant.

I know how fast this type of cancer progresses and my grandmother had breast cance so I’m scared, I have a phone consultation with my GP tomorrow and hopefully they will let me go for an examination on the same day but I’m just wondering if anyone has had similar issues/has fought IBC and won?

Thanks!

ctmbsikia

You should go back and google the odds of a 23 yo having IBC. It is rare and surely there is another diagnosis for your symptoms. Let your GP direct you.

AliceBastable

If it's been seven months, you'd be in dreadful shape or dead without having had treatment. Also it's not a bilateral condition. Maybe change your detergent you use for your bras. Or change to a non-allergenic anti-persperant. Or ask a dermatologist because it's a skin problem.

Beesie

From reading the description of your symptoms, I can't for the life of me understand why you think you might have IBC. Nothing you describe sounds like IBC. The closest is the orange peel appearance but since you have that on both breasts, it's likely that you just naturally have large pores.

IBC has 7 or 8 common symptoms. At most you have one, and that's highly questionable since the skin is the same on both breasts, which would not be the case with IBC.

From what you describe it sounds like the only problem you have is itchy armpits, which you've had for months. Did you change deodorants or are you using a different razor? It doesn't sound as though you have any breast issues at all - your description is of perfectly normal breasts.

Moderators

Dear olivialeah,

We are sorry that these breast changes and the worry that they are causing you have brought you here but we hope that the feedback that you are receiving from our members might be helpful. Many people come here with concerns about IBC that often come about from googling breast changes. We are glad that you have an appointment with your doctor tomorrow. We hope that your doctor can help you get to the bottom of what is going on.

The Mods

MinusTwo

As usual - my recommendation is to see a dermatologist. Skin issues - skin doc.