Inflammatory breast cancer worry

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Aprilmakeupx
Aprilmakeupx Member Posts: 7
edited May 2019 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

hi all I’m 22 years old and the other day I woke up and my right breast was much larger then my other one and at the same time a wierd but small rash has appeared it is slightly raised and has not moved or changed at all - my breast feels much heavier with occasional pain

I went to the doctors and now I’m 3 days into a anti biotic course and nothing’s changed - I was wondering by this point should I ask the doctor to do a biopsy and would they do that before doing a mammogram as I know mammograms can be useless with this form of cancer.

I am also on an implant and have taken 2 pregnancy test.



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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2019

    Hi there, Aprilmakeupx-

    We're sorry you find yourself here with breast health concerns! We know it can be scary. It's important to keep in mind that breast changes are quite normal, and at your age IBC would be very rare. Also, IBC symptoms progress very quickly, often within days, and the rash would have gotten progressively worse with other symptoms likely appearing since you first discovered it.

    We would encourage you to finish the course of antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor, and perhaps visit a dermatologist to have the rash evaluated. There are many explanations for the rash and the breast changes you've described, but it's good you're being proactive and having it checked out. Please keep us posted!

    The Mods

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  • suzy2618
    suzy2618 Member Posts: 49
    edited April 2019

    I am on the same boat as you. But have had symptoms of IBC for about 6 weeks. Finally Wednesday I am getting an MRI guided core biopsy. If you are NOT getting any better with the antibiotics within 4-5 days I would see a breast specialist and be ready to fight for a biopsy. You have to be your own advocate. Yes you are young but ibc does not discriminate age. It can happen to anyone regardless of their age. Praying you get answers soon.

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited April 2019

    If you search through these boards, you will see that IBC needs a punch biopsy by a dermatologist to be diagnosed. It seems to be the only diagnostic test.

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  • Aprilmakeupx
    Aprilmakeupx Member Posts: 7
    edited April 2019

    thank you for explaining! I for sure will go back as the first doctor I saw she did not even think it was mastitis yet was bewildered by how swollen my breast is and I’m on the 4th day now with 0 changes

    If you don’t mind me asking why do you have to fight for the biopsy? I guess I just should remind them rare is not impossible and time matters if I am sick - I hope your results come back all clear 🤞

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited April 2019

    suzy2618, it does in fact discriminate due to age. The average age at diagnosis is 54. Breast cancer in a 22 year old is very, very rare, and IBC is very rare, comprising less than 2% of all BC diagnoses, so IBC in a 22 year old is very very unlikely. Nothing is impossible, but it sure isn't anywhere close to the top of possibilities.

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  • suzy2618
    suzy2618 Member Posts: 49
    edited April 2019

    The reason why I say to get ready to fight for a biopsy is because I just went through that. I have been on several antibiotics including IV and my breast specialist refused to do an MRI or Biopsy. She kept insisting that it was mastitis or cellulitis and two wait 2-3 months before doing an MRI due to the inflammation and the risk of false positives. I had to call patients advocate from the Miami Cancer Institute and they were able to help me in getting a punch biopsy and now an MRI. My MRI did show an abnormality and now I am having an MRI guided core biopsy.


    Melissa yes IBC is VERY RARE specially on such a young but there has been several cases of 19 years old who had IBC and doctors kept thinking it was mastitis and guess what they are dead now. I met a few weeks ago a 26 year old with IBC via Instagram. She is the one who has guided me to push for answers. So it is rase but not impossible, it's better to be safe than sorry.

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  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited April 2019

    suzy2618

    Your first post was at the end of March. How much worse have your symptoms gotten since then?

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  • suzy2618
    suzy2618 Member Posts: 49
    edited April 2019

    My first symptom occurred the first week of March when I woke up with my right breast being very swollen, red and warm and with a sharp pain by the top of the areola. Yes the redness did go away but I developed a bruise which has not gone away with enlarged pores. The pain comes random like someone is stabbing me and i have a burning sensation. The enlarged pores is what have concerned me the most because I only had the enlarged pores near the bruise but now half of my breast has enlarged pores. What the breast surgeon told me its that it was caused by a mastitis or cellulitis. Tomorrow I have the MRI guided biopsy. They told me by Friday they should have my results.

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  • Aprilmakeupx
    Aprilmakeupx Member Posts: 7
    edited April 2019

    It’s bad they made you try several antibiotics before actually testing you - they say false positive are a risk but I don’t think so when ruling something out can be so important. I do hope all your tests come back clear! And thank you for being informative!

    One of the doctors I saw today today tried to actually brush me off because of my age and told me there should be a lump - i told her straight ‘nope there should not be with IBC’ but another lady said if nothing’s changed by next Tuesday or anything my gets worse come back and they will refer me which

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  • suzy2618
    suzy2618 Member Posts: 49
    edited April 2019

    Yes I was even admitted for 24 hrs to get IV antibiotics. I told the breast surgeon the same thing. I rather do a biopsy and for it to be negative then not do it and for something to be wrong. I truly hope my biopsy is clear but I am ready for some answers already. Glad you said that to the doctor. I hope you get better and that this was just an infection. Please keep me updated. Prayers sent your way

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  • Aprilmakeupx
    Aprilmakeupx Member Posts: 7
    edited May 2019

    hey there to keep you updated I now have a referral on the 15th - the antibiotics did nothing and my rash has not changed besides increase in size which is scary and laying on my front hurts the breast hurts the breast still hoping it’s something else though

    My referral is on a terrible day also its a day before my big university assessment/ project and it’s on my dads birthday

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  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited May 2019

    Aprilmakeupx

    What does the skin feel like in the area of the rash?

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  • Aprilmakeupx
    Aprilmakeupx Member Posts: 7
    edited May 2019

    it’s slightly raised and feels rough - the skin on my right breast is also thicker in general compared to my right


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  • lindahudson
    lindahudson Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2019

    Hi Aprilmakeupx,

    It's been two weeks since you first noticed an enlarged breast with a rash. Clinically, it does seem to be a sign of acute inflammation as it has all the five cardinal features of acute inflammation that includes Rubor (redness), Calor (increased heat), Tumor (swelling), Dolor (pain), and Function laesa (loss of function).

    Also, the rash had an acute appearance as it emerged overnight. So, all the signs suggest it to be some form of inflammation. Although, I agree with @ MelissaDallas, but yes, @suzy2618 has a point when she says it's better to be safe than sorry.

    You have also mentioned about an implant in your post. What kind of implant is it? It could be an implant related issue as well. Please do take that into consideration.

    I pray for you to heal soon and look forward to the updates from your visit on the 15th.

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  • Aprilmakeupx
    Aprilmakeupx Member Posts: 7
    edited May 2019

    hello there thankyou for responding , I have developed sharp stabbing pain occasionally now and I am seeing the breast clinic next week thankfully. I found out it has also been in my family also so for sure best to be seen to regardless my age.

    I have the nexplannon implant to stop getting pregnant. it's my third and I've had it for 8 years never had any problems before but I hope it is A implant related issue - I was told though that because I suspect breast cancer I should get it removed


    Thankyou! Hopefully it’s all good news!

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  • djmammo
    djmammo Member Posts: 2,939
    edited May 2019

    https://www.theibcnetwork.org/

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