Are these pagets symptoms?

timburtonsdaughter

Hi, I'm just a lonely and troubled 27 year old who's worried that I may be experiencing Paget symptoms.

Two months ago, I quit the pill and two days later, I developed a tiny bleb on my left breast which was extremely painful. A week later, the bleb disappeared and was replaced by very dry skin on my breast. Only on one side. I do not experience any itching, but just a mild ache. Mainly, it's skin flaking off my areola and breast.

It went away after a week when I had my TOM. Now I'm a week due for my next TOM, and I'm noticing flaking again. I'm so scared it's something serious. I want to go to the doctors, but I only recently had two biopsies done on the other breast for a benign lump. I'm all alone and it traumatised me so much. Should I go and get a third biopsy? This time for the other breast?

TLDR: My symptoms are mildly flaking skin, and a dull ache on one breast. No itch, nothing on nipple. Just flaking and pain. I'm 27.

Moderators

Dear timburtonsdaughter,

Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry that these breast health changes have brought you here. We are glad that you reached out for support. As we are not medical professionals here we encourage everyone to bring changes in their breast health to the attention of their primary doctor or gynecologist. It is not clear from you what you describe that a biopsy would be the next step or necessary but it would save you the stress of having to figure this out on your own if you were to have it addressed by a medical professional. We are sure that some members will be along to offer support around your symptoms and worry. Keep us posted on what you learn and how we can be of assistance.

The Mods

Iris28

Hi! This was recently a worry of mine too and I had similar symptoms. However, in my case I did experience itching. From what I understand, Pagets is extremely rare and even more so in people our age (I'm 25).

You should definitely go to your doctor, just to be sure. Don't worry about bothering them too much.

In my case, I went for a breast exam at my midwife. She misdiagnosed me with thrush, which sparked my health anxiety because it seemed to get better at first, then much worse. From what I understand, Pagets can seem like it comes and goes in its very early stages. (But so does dry skin)

Then the midwife basically told me to get lost. Went to my primary instead and got treated for eczema. It's cleared up and doesn't seem to be returning, having been a month out.

All in all, I just mean it to say that eczema, dry skin, and other non-serious Conditions CAN happen in just one nipple, despite what the internet would have you believe. But considering you've already had biopsies done, I'd follow up with your doctor to see if they recommend further investigation. But in the meantime, don't fret, take cool showers, moisturize, and track your symptoms and your cycle.

LivinLife

Welcome! I agree with the Mods and Iris.... get evaluated at one of your docs.... PCP, gyn or even derm though have a medical professional check out your concerns. Please let us know what you find out....

jenacass

@timburtonsdaughter, be your own advocate. I would also recommend that knowledge is power. You'll never be at peace until you know the answer. Yes, Paget's is only diagnosed as 10% of breast cancer cases but too many physicians treat it as dermatitis so a patient gets cancer diagnosis only after it's had time to spread.

In February I noticed my right nipple had a red circular discoloration. Honestly, it looked like ringworm. No flakiness; no itching. I waited a few weeks to call my OB/Gyn because I'd just purchased new bras (hoping they were the irritant). When the redness didn't go away and I noticed slight flaking, I called for a referral for mammogram. I do have family history of breast cancer, so I was always waiting for the 'when'.

Both the diagnostic 3D mammo & ultrasound revealed nothing. I thought I was home free, until my OB immediately referred me to a breast surgeon. Without delay the surgeon scheduled me for a wedge biopsy, which was outpatient. She wouldn't wish a punch or office biopsy on her worst enemy, so don't be afraid to push for the outpatient procedure. It's more expensive, but I felt NO pain post surgery and was back to work after 1 day. Unfortunately, the biopsy confirmed Paget's.

I am now 7 weeks post lumpectomy and 12 days into full-breast radiation. I was nervous when removing bandages the day after surgery, but was honestly relieved the cancer was gone. I have some lingering tenderness around the surgical scar, which is not distracting. Once radiation is finished, I'm considering if I'll get a nipple tattoo (Titty-Tat). I've decided against nipple reconstruction.