Really worried about this red spot/patch...

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HungryChik
HungryChik Member Posts: 2
edited October 2018 in Not Diagnosed But Worried
Two days ago, I was about to take a shower and when I took off my clothes, I noticed a bright red spot, about 1.5 inches in diameter, on my left breast, above the nipple but not close to it. It's smooth to the touch (not dry, scaly and cracked, it's a bit raised and when I press down on it, the redness fades and when I let go, the redness is back. It doesn't hurt nor is it itchy. But when I press down on it, there is definitely a lump. It doesn't hurt when I press on it, either. There are no discharges from my nipples, either.

What bothers me is that the patch and underlying lump appeared just overnight. It looks like a hickey mark with a small lump underneath. Before two days ago, there was no such thing on my breasts.

I've read a bit about inflammatory breast cancers and red patches and have been worried sick for the past two days.

I mean, shouldn't it at least hurt if the cancer can visibly be seen on my breast? Or is it just some sort of damaged blood vessel or something?

Has anyone faced something familiar?

I'm 22. But I doubt my age really matters.

Please help. I'm so afraid.
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2007

    The best thing to do is to make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. The doctor can look at it and suggest testing, if needed. That's the best way I know to alleviate fear...action! Please don't worry until it's looked at; but get it looked at soon. HUGS and prayers to you.

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  • Liz81
    Liz81 Member Posts: 62
    edited May 2007
    You never know you could have the start of an infection in your breast. I had one recently. The breast surgeon said that it can happen from things like getting your teeth cleaned or even having your nails done at a salon. (none of which I had done) I was given antibiotics and it went away. For me, I had a red patch on my breast and my breast was hard underneath. Then my breast became slightly swollen.

    So go to the doctor and get it checked out.
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  • misslu
    misslu Member Posts: 62
    edited May 2007
    I had a similiar situation. I was getting dressed the day after Christmas and I looked at my breast in the mirror. There was a red spot. I thought it was strange, and when I touched it, there was definitely a lump underneath. I went to my gynocologist (it was time for my yearly check up). He felt the lump too, did a mammogram in his office. Because of the holidays, I had to wait several days for the mammogram to be read. The mammogram showed nothing, but since we both could feel a lump, he sent me to a surgeon. The surgeon did an ultra sound and the lump was visible. He immediately said it had to come out, so we did an excisional biopsy. When I woke up, they told me it was benign. The pathology report a week later also confirmed that it was benign. I got very LUCKY!!

    I too read about inflamatory breast cancer and I was convinced that was what it was. I had the itchiness, the red patch, and all other risk factors for breast cancer except family history. Needless to say, I was worried sick. If it hadn't been for this site and all the wonderful ladies, I would have lost my mind. It took almost a month from the first visit to the final pathology report.

    See your doctor. Follow through with what they tell you to do. I felt that I was going to insist on a biopsy (the only good lump is a lump in a jar) and the doctor said it had to come out immediately upon seeing it on the ultra sound screen.

    Let us know what you find out.
    Shonda
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  • hollynp
    hollynp Member Posts: 36
    edited May 2007

    I am 29 and have something similar near my nipple on my right breast. I have not gone to get it looked at yet though mostly because I am scared, but I know I should get it looked it. Its probably nothing but these ladies in here are very comforting and helpful with their experiences and advices. They have helped me when I had a large tumor removed out of my breast back in december.

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  • Shirlann
    Shirlann Member Posts: 3,302
    edited May 2007
    Try to go to a breast clinic, if at all possible. Many regular docs, even ob/gyn's have never seen Inflammatory BC, except in books.

    Don't be afraid, at this stage you can and should get well, if it is anything in the first place. Waiting only makes things worse.

    Gentle hugs, Shirlann
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  • HungryChik
    HungryChik Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2007

    Thanks for all the replies, they definitely eased my mind some. I still haven't gone to have it checked out. I discovered this on May 8 - it's been 2 weeks since then. The redness has left. The skin above the lump is a very faint blue-ish color along with a bit of pink - it looks like a small bruise. It still doesn't hurt. When I pinch on the lump, it appears to move with my skin. It doesn't seem fixed or attached to underlying breast tissue. The lump hasn't increased or decreased in size, though, although I can feel the lump getting less defined. I've read a bunch of stuff on the internet about benign lumps. Has any still experienced this? I know the best thing would be to go have it checked by a doctor- still, I would like to hear some opinions on it or similar experiences.

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  • Shirlann
    Shirlann Member Posts: 3,302
    edited May 2007
    Honey, of course it could be benign, it probably is. But for your sake, please go have a mammogram. Then, you can stop worrying and stop searching the Internet.

    Everyone on this board is rooting for you to gather the courage and go get this checked.

    We are not docs or oncs, so our opinions aren't worth much, all we know for sure is, we are all very glad we had our "thingys" checked.

    I am 8 & 1/2 years post treatment and doing just fine. And I DID have breast cancer. When caught early, and not ignored, it is a very treatable disease. But if you wait, it is NOT pleasant at all.

    So we are all rooting for you to get thee to a doc!

    Be sure and post and tell us what happens, you are in all our hearts.

    Gentle hugs, Shirlann
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  • esaud
    esaud Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2008

    I have the exact same story.  I woke up and saw the red splotch.  I touched it wondering what stupid thing did I do to my body this time.  I felt the lump.  My annual physical was scheduled for 3 weeks away, so I waited until then.  She immediately sent me to a radiologist and surgeon.  They confirmed the lump was 'suspicious'.  I just got back from an ultrasound biopsy.  The results won't be available for 2 days, but at a minimum, I will be having a lumpectomy.  They said my lymph nodes were fine and it was caught early, so should be curable should it be malignant.  Please get to the Dr now before it gets worse.  The mental anguish is the worse.

    Best of Luck

    Judy

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  • queenbee
    queenbee Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2010

    Hello how are you About three days ago I discovered the same thing while geting out of the shower  I have 6 red patches in different areas on the breast they all have lumps and when I touch the red patch it goes away as you describe. I am very afraid but the worst thing about all of this I have no medical insurance so I hope you get yours check out I am rooting for the both of us Thank you for sharing your story

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  • emy3137
    emy3137 Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2012

    hey so i'm only 14 and i have a red dot on my left breast and there is atleast 2-3 hard lumps and just the left breast and this just appeared over night!!! I am superrrr worried and i dont wanna tell my mom cuz we dont really have a relationship. Pleaseee help!! thankss

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2012

    emy, do you have a family doctor you could see? Or a women's health clinic you could go to for a checkup of the dot and lumps?

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  • flash
    flash Member Posts: 1,685
    edited February 2012

    emy- do you have a school nurse or teacher who might help you find local resources?

    hugs, it really will be fine. 

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  • angelsister
    angelsister Member Posts: 474
    edited February 2012

    Hi emy, lumps and bumps are very very common in people your age and usually due to hormonal changes. Still, its got to make sense to have it checked out. Hope you can find someone to tell you the way to get a doctor to take a look. You sure you cant speak to your mom? What about an aunt or cousin or as someone else said a teacher? It'll only take a few minutes to put your mind at rest, but always better to get things checked. I know you'll figure a way, you're a smart girl for noticing and seeking advice. Best wishes hun x

    emy if you start a new thread on the not diagnosed but worried forum and say which city you are in there may be someone who can tell you which clinic you could call? Just an idea as old threads like this one might not get noticed x
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  • Sam-Unknown
    Sam-Unknown Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2012

    Hi :) I'm seventeen and I seem to get these every once in a while they are usually there for about a month or so and then seem to fade, but its starting to worry me since my gramma just had her second year of being cancer free in our family it cancer usually runs in the grandchildren so since my gramma got it I'm afraid I will too.. but I'm so scared to tell them ive been getting these hoping they aren't bad because my grampa has already died this year and I don't want my family getting upset about something that they dont need to be. in any case they usually range from 1/2 in to about 1 1/2 in in diameter. They usually don't hurt unless u put a lot of pressure on them like at first I thought they were some kind of pimple,sometimes tho they do act like pimples with discharging like an infection. I realised quickley to just leave them be, at the end of the progression they usually just look like dried skin and peel off. But at the beginning they look like those purpleish veins that people usually get on there legs but in a circular form. Just wondering if anyone has had a similar problem..

    -sam

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited August 2012

    Sam, we understand that you don't want to worry your family, but this is something you ought to have checked by your family doctor, or maybe your mom's ob/gyn. There are so many possible reasons for what you're experiencing - and especially for someone your age it's most likely that it's benign. Please do have a talk with your mother and arrange to see a doctor though, just so you'll know for sure.

    • The Mods
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  • Bball
    Bball Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2012

    I've noticed the same red spots. But they are spreading. I started out with just one on the left and now have two on each. I'm super scared and I'm hoping you guys can help me out

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  • Doll15
    Doll15 Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2013


    hello my name is doll and I'm only 15 years old and I woke up this morning and I took a shower and when I got out I seen a red spot on my right side breast and It doesn't hurt and when I press on it the red fades away and theses a lump and I'm very scared right now :(


    I wanna tell my mom but I'm afraid what will happen :( please help :(

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  • itsjustme10
    itsjustme10 Member Posts: 796
    edited November 2013


    Hi Doll...your first instinct is right...tell your mom, and let her decide what to do - it could be anything. It could be nothing, so don't worry...that's your mom's job - don't take it from her!! :) At your age, it's really really rare for it to be anything bad, so my advice to you is to tell your mom - she can decide whether it's something to see a doctor about or not. :)


    Seriously, like the old Nike commercials said..."just do it". My niece just turned 16, and that's exactly what I would tell her, too. :)


    Good luck. :)

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  • Doll15
    Doll15 Member Posts: 3
    edited November 2013


    thanks. Itsjustme10


    And I will tell her I'm just so afraid and worried


    She's been thou alot herself and I don't want her to worry to much

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  • itsjustme10
    itsjustme10 Member Posts: 796
    edited November 2013


    Doll, your mom is the one person in this world who wants the best for you, no matter what. Don't be afraid - look - I'm no doctor, I never went to medical school, and I can't give you any real guess as to what it might be, except to tell you this - at the age of 15, the odds are hugely in your favor that it's not anything bad.


    I know that no matter how many times I tell you not to worry, you still will, and it'll probably tick you off - LOL - so I won't. But, I can tell you that it's easier to tell your mom now, and deal with whatever it may be now, when it just happened, than to think about it, blow it up in your mind, make yourself a nervous wreck, and then have to tell her anyway. The one thing I do know, and can guarantee you is that she won't be mad, and she won't worry unless there's something to worry about. Chances are whatever is going on is either normal and related to growing up and going through puberty, or something dumb like a bug bite or a zit or allergy.


    So, tell your mom somehow - if you can't tell her, text her what you're worried about or some other way. I know how hard it is to tell your parents certain things, but seriously, figure out a way to do it, and I promise, you'll feel better the second you share this worry with your mom. :)

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  • mad1m
    mad1m Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2014

    Hi! Im 17 and after my shower i noticed a dark purple bruise on my right breast (its about the size of a dime or nickel) It doesnt hurt or anything, but im terrified about it being Breast cancer. I seen that it could be a sympton of inflamary breast cancer, so im worried sick to my stomach! Im on vacation so i wont be able to see my doctor for about 2 weeks! I dont know what to do?:(

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited August 2014

    It would be incrediably unlikely that you might be dealing with IBC at your age (but possible).  IBC is rare being only between 1% - 5% of all diagnosed types of BC.  That is for all ages combined and is much less likely for youth.  There are MANY possibilities as to why there are skin issues and the VAAT majority have nothing to do with any type pf BC.

    Talk to your Mom and have her call and get an appt for you as soon as ya'll are home.  There is a good possibility/probability that whatever is going on will have resolved before then but better to have an appt lined up 'just in case'.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited August 2014

    Thanks, Kicks for your great feedback to mad1m. Just make an appointment, and try to enjoy your vacation now. 

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  • Dawn1227
    Dawn1227 Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2014

    I

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  • Dawn1227
    Dawn1227 Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2014

    Ijust the other day I noticed a big red spot under my right breast it's not raise is not itchy but it just appeared out of nowhere and I'm scared wondering what it could be any answers?

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited August 2014

    Only your Dr can tell you what it is!   No one here can tell you what is going on as we are not medical staff that is actually seeing you.

    There are MANY possibilities and skin issues are caused by so many different 'things' that the VAST majority have nothing to do with any type of BC.  See you Dr to fimd out for sure what it is and get  appropriate treatment for whatever it is.

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  • Rachel_sanchez
    Rachel_sanchez Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2016

    I'm 14 and I am getting that should I be scared please help I am not lying I have a red spot on the left side

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  • Ughitskyla
    Ughitskyla Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2017

    im 15 and I just saw the same thing in the exact same spot. When I pressed down on it I didnt feel a lump... I'm just really scared I hope I don't have cancer

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  • R_A
    R_A Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2018

    Hi im seventeen, yesterday i was getting dressed and noticed a red spot on my left breast . It isn't painful but i don't know if their is a lump beneath it, i don't want to tell my mother because that will only stress her out. can you pls help me?


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  • Mellymc22
    Mellymc22 Member Posts: 33
    edited May 2018

    Did you ever find out the problem? I have a very similar red splotch and it itches. It's about the size of an eraser head and it's raised but flat. There does look like a point of entry like a bug bite but they say that's how IBC presents? Mine has only been a few days and I'm freaked out. Hoping the dermatologist can shed some light.

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