Red breast??

Hockeymom1
Hockeymom1 Member Posts: 30
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

All of a sudden I noticed that my breast has a red sunburn looking area on it.  I am three years post mastectomy and I didn't have any radiation.  I don't know what to make of this.  I have recently started doing Jazzercise and do lift some small weights.  This area isn't warm to the touch and doesn't seem swollen, but it doesn't go away either.  I've had it for a few days now.

I have an appointment with my breast surgeon next week. 

Anyone else experience this?

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Comments

  • kathleen1966
    kathleen1966 Member Posts: 793
    edited January 2012

    Where is the red area?  Is it anywhere near where you may swing an arm back and forth over and over as you are doing your Jazzercise?  Could it be a lymphedema flare up?  Are you jumping alot during the Jazzercise, is a bra rubbing up against the area? I hope it goes away for you so you can stop worrying about it.  But I know the breast surgeon will know more next week. 

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  • sflow
    sflow Member Posts: 297
    edited January 2012

    I had what I would call half a tank top redness on the side where I had my lumpectomy.  It was cellulitis--get your doctor to check right away.  It is dangerous but highly treatable. 

    Hey, kathleen--I am from the Pittsburgh area too! 

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited January 2012

    Hockeymom, checking this out promptly like sflow suggests really is a good idea. For now, draw around the red area with a permanent marker so you can track whether it's spreading. Any fever, flu-like symptoms, pain, warmth to the touch, or itching should send you to the ER right away. Otherwise do get it looked at before the weekend.

    The other possibility, as Kathleen suggested, is lymphedema (when it's in the breast it's called truncal lymphedema). It's an inflammatory condition so it can cause redness, especially when it's in the breast. Many doctors aren't aware of that, so mention lymphedema to your doctor when you see him/her. Here's information about truncal lymphedema:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/breast_chest_trunckal_lymphedema.htm

    Wishing you good answers and a quick fix.Smile Be well!
    Binney

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