Think I have IBC
Comments
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A week or so ago, I noticed a small red spot on my left breast near the middle of my chest. It’s the same size it was last week when I first noticed it.It doesn’t itch, burn, swell, etc. I don’t have any swelling, pain or pitting in my skin. I applied some cortisone tonight and it seems to have lightened some. I had an appointment with my GP today and he wasn’t concerned at all. I have a GYN appointment in 3 weeks. Should I try and move it?
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Doesn’t sound at all like IBC to me. IBC progresses rapidly, in days, if not hours. I’d believe my doctor, especially since the cortisone cream is helping
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Thanks. I can't stop obsessing. Why does google make the worst thing the first option that pops up? It was red again this morning, but my husband says the spot is smaller.
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While I haven't read everything on google, I doubt that anywhere it says that a small red spot that hasn't changed in a week, doesn't itch, burn or swell, and that responds to cortisone, might be IBC. Sounds much more like a pimple or a simple rash.
I don't see any reason to advance your Gyn appointment, particularly since you've already seen your GP and he isn't concerned. Within the next 3 weeks, if you continue with cortisone (or is it a hyrdocortisone cream you are using?) you may be able to cancel the Gyn appointment if the red spot fades or completely disappears.
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If you google red spot on breast, IBC is the first thing that comes up. My spot is smaller than the size of my fingertip. I'm certain I'm being paranoid, I just need the reassurance. I developed severe health anxiety after a parent was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor 4 years ago.
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Yes, if you google "red spot on breast", unfortunately IBC is the first thing that comes up. But you have to keep reading beyond the headline. Here's what it says on the first site that showed up on my google search, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322916.php :
"Although red spots or a red rash on the breast are usually symptoms of a noncancerous condition, they can sometimes be an early sign of breast cancer and a person should monitor them closely.
Red spots are a typical feature of inflammatory breast cancer or IBC, which is a rare but aggressive form of breast cancer.
In the United States, IBC accounts for only around 2−4 percent of breast cancer cases, yet it contributes to 7−10 percent of deaths from breast cancer.
People with IBC typically do not have breast lumps, which are a common symptom in other types of breast cancer.
IBC affects the skin and the lymph vessels of the breast and symptoms can include:
- rapid changes in the skin around the affected breast
- redness and warmth of the skin on the breast
- breast swelling
- breast pain
- itchiness
- thickening of the breast skin
- enlargement or heaviness of the affected breast
- breast skin that feels and appears thick and pitted, similar to an orange peel...
.
... People should see a doctor, as soon as possible, if the rash occurs alongside any of the following symptoms:
- changes in the breast skin
- new spots or rashes on the breast
- severe pain
- swelling, warmth, and redness of the breast
- fever
- wounds that do not heal
- fluid leaking from the rash
- red streaks coming from the rash
A person should also see a doctor for any rash that does not go away after a while or any rash that appears severe or causes other symptoms that raise concerns."
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What the site is saying is that a red spot, IN COMBINATION WITH OTHER SYMPTOMS, might be reason for concern. If someone has a single, or even a few, red spots on her breast, and she is monitoring it and has not had even 1 of the other 8 symptoms listed, I think it's fair to say that this does not fit the description of IBC. The website also notes 12 other benign causes.
I hope this provides the reassurance that you need.
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Sorry to hear about your parent.
If you google it, it says red spot on breast is usually NOT a sign of cancer. It then goes on to say that it is one of the symptoms of IBC. I think in your anxiety you didnt absorb the first part and went straight to the worst case scenario. Even if you went to the Gyn earlier, the most likely outcome would be a referral to a dermatologist.
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While the spot hasn't gone away, it seems to be getting lighter each time I apply cortisone. I'm assuming cortisone would have no effect on IBC.
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