Worried I'm overreacting

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Trishdenys
Trishdenys Member Posts: 14
edited June 2019 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

So. Im new here. A 42 year old Mum from Australia , kids aged 11 and 20. Haven't breast fed for many years having symptoms as follows on only one breast.

Nipple- Larger probably double size of other nipple / flatter nipple, not inverted but sort of indented into areola sometimes. ..until touched/stimulated then will erect.

Let down feeling in breast

Red rash on areola, sometimes red raw sometimes scaley. Sometimes weeping sores/crust around join between nipple/areola.

Extremely itchy nipple/areola comes and goes but there every day.

Burning sensation, sensitive nipples

Ive always had lumpyish breasts so hard to find any changes.


I have a Mammogram and ultrasound booked for next wednesday. Im worried I'm overreacting. I wanted a biopsy of skin too but dr thinks it is just excema. She said if It feels like I have a cyst in same breast I have syptoms in but also daid if it was cancer id have orsnge peel type skin.



Breasts both have visable veins






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

    Trishdenys, sorry you are here and worried about these changes in your breast, but wanted to say welcome! This is a great place to come for information and support.

    Others should be along soon to offer some advice and personal experiences to you. In the meantime, you might like to check out our page on Symptoms of Breast Cancer, but please, keep in mind that most breast changes are not related to cancer. Let us know what you learn at your appointment!

    Thinking of you,

    The Mods



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  • Trishdenys
    Trishdenys Member Posts: 14
    edited May 2019

    Thank you for your reply and this forum. I had no idea where to turn for advice and support through this process.

    My general doc seems unphased by my nipple symptoms because she feels no underlying lump behind the nipple. The nipple really concerns me due to the continuing changes. She also said if it was cancer I'd have orange peel type skin. Reading the replies here has shown me cancer presents in many ways and so do benign conditions. Im trying to worry less. Been preoccuping myself by spring cleaning my house 😂


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  • Trishdenys
    Trishdenys Member Posts: 14
    edited May 2019

    ok so back again. Mammo and ultrasound yesterday. No idea what was seen on mammogram. .. they came back for extra pics on left side. Ultrasound showed 3-4 cysts on right side, all black inside so normal looking according to ultrasound tech. The left side had a different cyst/lump that didnt look black on the inside. She said radiologist will check images and decide if it is fat filled or needs more looking into. Gp visit tomorrow for follow up. Still confused why no one seems concerned about my changing nipple size and rash which was reason i went to doc in the first place.


    Keeping fingers crossed.

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  • cattledoglv
    cattledoglv Member Posts: 72
    edited May 2019

    That does seem concerning. I mean, a scaly rashly nipple isn’t normal is it. I don’t want to alarm you in any way, your issue is probably something easily treated, but there is a breast cancer called Pagets of the nipple. It is often diagnosed with a punch biopsy and not normally seen on mammos and US. Just so you’re aware if they treat it topically and it doesn’t help or work. It’s pretty rare which is why it is probably something easily treated. Make sure you get treatment for it tho.

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  • MexicoHeather
    MexicoHeather Member Posts: 365
    edited May 2019

    First, Hello and I am sorry to meet you under stressful circumstances.

    One remedy for "Dr. Deafness" is to try a different specialist. For instance, if they think it is eczema, you could go to the dermatologist and they could review it and do a biopsy.

    I know it's frustrating. My cysts hurt and my cancer didn't, so it's very necessary to do various ultrasounds and biopsies of the area. Then you will know what is normal for you.

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  • Trishdenys
    Trishdenys Member Posts: 14
    edited May 2019

    Mexicoheather thats a great idea... if my follow up at the general practitioner does not end in a breast specialist refferal I will ask for a dermatologist refferal.


    Cattledog- Im a person who has had excema so have already tried cortisone creams, washing with sorboline cream instead of soap, changing wash powders, washing my hair in sink to be sure it isnt shampoo. The nipple also seem flatter and bigger. Im hoping they begin to take it seriously. My GP seems to only be looking for orange peel type skin issues... that I dont have.

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  • MBPooch
    MBPooch Member Posts: 229
    edited May 2019

    The only way to diagnose Pagets is with a punch biopsy. Be sure to push for that so you can ease your mind.

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  • Trishdenys
    Trishdenys Member Posts: 14
    edited May 2019

    I had my follow up appointment today with general practitioner. The report says the lesion could be trapped fat or fibrocystic change but they reccomend biopsy to be sure. So that at least sounds positive. Booked in for tuesday ;-)

    I have requested a refferal to a dermatologist to be sure that the nipple rash is not anything sinister. The GP was not really happy about it, she thinks pagets is to rare to be concerned about and believes it is just excema. .. maybe it is but if it is more then I'll be grateful that I pushed for follow up.



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  • Mandyhiero
    Mandyhiero Member Posts: 90
    edited May 2019

    Praying for benign results with your biopsy.

    And I just wanted to add, your doctor doesn’t have to live with the fear and worry you have about your breast. You do. I think you’re doing the right thing by having a dermatologist look at it. Hang in there! Waiting on tests is hard!
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  • Trishdenys
    Trishdenys Member Posts: 14
    edited May 2019

    Fine needle biopsy of the lump was done yesterday. Ive booked in friday to see another general practitioner in my local surgery for results. I figure while im already going I will see a different doc and see if they are as unconcerned about nipple changes as the female dr is. Some days I still think its nothing. .. other days it seems much worse, more itchy ect. Maybe it is just excema

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  • Trishdenys
    Trishdenys Member Posts: 14
    edited May 2019

    FNA- basically showed not enough cells although I'm told they are normal cells but in tiny amounts. This new GP was very good. He straight away refered me to a breast specialist.

    Yesterday I saw the specialist and he was very thorough. He said he agrees the nipple could be pagets, but that there is no way to know without a biopsy. He said he has a great interest in pagets, he see' almost all cases in our area due to that special interest. He is doing that next week. He is also going to do a core biopsy of the lump.

    Finally I feel like I'm moving forward and getting answers .

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  • edj3
    edj3 Member Posts: 2,076
    edited May 2019

    I'm glad you are getting heard (finally)--and I sincerely hope you end up with all benign results!

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  • Trishdenys
    Trishdenys Member Posts: 14
    edited June 2019

    So today is the big day. Im really nervous, 3pm seems forever away. Im having Nipple punch biopsy and core biopsy of the lump. The drs office called yesterday to reschedule my appointment to allow more time for both biopsies. They seem totally on the ball so that makes me feel reassured.

    The nipple symptoms come and go, some days I feel like I'm overreacting because its almost clear, no rash, no itching, no peeling. Other days it screams "skin condition", the nipple permanently looks different from the right side. Today I woke to find a thin crust over it all, it feels sort of cold/wet but its not. Yesterday it seemed fine and I was worried they'd refuse to do it.

    Glad I'll get some answers soon. Logiclly I'm sure they'll tell me its a b9 fibroadenoma and excema but my anxiety is in overdrive. They dont give results over the phone so I'll have to book in. I guess thats positive because at least I wont be sitting by the phone waiting.

    I dont really have anyone to talk this through with because I'm trying not to worry anyone so writing it all out just to get it off my chest. Im going alone today... I cant deal with anyone else being there.


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  • LondonHannah77
    LondonHannah77 Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2019

    Hi, I’ve just found a scaley patch on my left nipple and I’m worried about Pageats as well... how did you get on? Really hope it was negative xx

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  • Trishdenys
    Trishdenys Member Posts: 14
    edited June 2019

    Londonhannah - no results yet. Tests were done yesterday. The breast surgeon took two samples from the nipple/areola so I guess I'll know in a few days.

    The only way to tell if it pagets is a skin biopsy, I'd suggest seeing your doctor or a dermatologist

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  • LondonHannah77
    LondonHannah77 Member Posts: 2
    edited June 2019

    I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you. I’m booked in to see a breast screening clinic and they will do everything - assessment, mamo and biopsy on the same day to fast track the results. The fear does take your breath away... I’m 41 by the way, and it does seem that it is very rare in women under 50.

    Please post when you get your results xx

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  • Trishdenys
    Trishdenys Member Posts: 14
    edited June 2019

    Well I got fantastic news. Both are not cancer. Im yet to find out what the lump is as I only had a quick phone call from the specialist. He did ssy he wants a follow up ultrasolnd in 3 moths and probably more frequent mammogram/ultrasounds in the future.

    The skin on the nipple changes were caused by chronic dermatitis so I guess I'll be off to get a stronger cortisone cream because the one I was putting on was not fixing the problem.

    I'm excited at the news but annoyed at myself for letting my stress levels stop me from carrying on normal life. Chocolate and binge eating won this battle- 10kg gaain 😲 in a month 🙄. On a positive I'm cancer free and have a freezer full of meals as I prepped lots "just in case"


    Thank you everyone for their support, advice and previous threads.

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  • footballmomma
    footballmomma Member Posts: 29
    edited June 2019

    I have chronic dermatitis on my arms which seems to get worse when there is less humidity in the air. I tried a tone of different OTC creams and found the baby lotion I used for my kids worked better than any cortisone cream. My youngest is 11 and I still stroll down the baby aisle at the store to pick up the lotion. Glad to hear everything came back benign.

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  • apricotjam
    apricotjam Member Posts: 23
    edited June 2019

    I'm glad you got good news ... and we can swap anxiety responses next time, ok? I lost about 10kg. in a month by simply not eating due to stress. Somewhere in between us, there's a happy medium. lol.

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  • edj3
    edj3 Member Posts: 2,076
    edited June 2019

    Really pleased for you!

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