New Member- Concerned about Breast Symptoms

Yes, see a doctor. What you describe doesn't sound like most cases of IBC - usually IBC progresses very quickly - but it's important to always get persistent breast changes checked out.

Dr. Google is notoriously unreliable. Quite the fearmonger. But there is good information out there. Here are some of the reliable sites:

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NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE. https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/ibc-fact-sheet

Minimum criteria for a diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer include the following:

• A rapid onset of erythema (redness), edema (swelling), and a peau d'orange appearance (ridged or pitted skin) and/or abnormal breast warmth, with or without a lump that can be felt.
• The above-mentioned symptoms have been present for less than 6 months.
• The erythema covers at least a third of the breast.
• Initial biopsy samples from the affected breast show invasive carcinoma.

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MAYO CLINIC https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/inflammatory-breast-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20355413

Signs and symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include:

• Rapid change in the appearance of one breast, over the course of several weeks
• Thickness, heaviness or visible enlargement of one breast
• Discoloration, giving the breast a red, purple, pink or bruised appearance
• Unusual warmth of the affected breast
• Dimpling or ridges on the skin of the affected breast, similar to an orange peel
• Tenderness, pain or aching
• Enlarged lymph nodes under the arm, above the collarbone or below the collarbone
• Flattening or turning inward of the nipple

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BREAST-CANCER.ORG. https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/inflammatory/symptoms

Common symptoms of IBC include:

• Redness of the breast: Redness involving part or all of the breast is a hallmark of inflammatory breast cancer. Sometimes the redness comes and goes.
• Swelling of the breast: Part of or all of the breast may be swollen, enlarged, and hard.
• Warmth: The breast may feel warm.
• Orange-peel appearance: Your breast may swell and start to look like the peel of a navel orange (this is called "peau d'orange").
• Other skin changes: The skin of the breast might look pink or bruised, or you may have what looks like ridges, welts, or hives on your breast.
• Swelling of lymph nodes: The lymph nodes under your arm or above the collarbone may be swollen.
• Flattening or inversion of the nipple: The nipple may go flat or turn inward.
• Aching or burning: Your breast may ache or feel tender.