I just got this email from Today's Health & Wellness, and wanted to share it with you. This was my story a year and a half ago. Thankfully, mine was an infection. Please be aware of these signs, and see your doctor if you notice any of these changes in your breasts.
October 8, 2009
Infection-or breast cancer?
Let's get serious for a minute. You're alert to lumps. You're regular with your mammogram. But when you notice a new rash or unexpected bruise, do you check it out right away?
Maybe you should.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) accounts for a much smaller number of breast cancers, but it is particularly aggressive and easy to miss. The most common symptoms-rednass, warmth and swelling, discolored or dimpled skin, itching and pain in the breast-are easy to mistake for an infection.
Actually, those symptoms are the result of cancer cells blocking lymph vessels in the skin.
There are no specific risk factors, but IBC does occur more frequently in younger women, average age is 58, and African-American women. Treatment has improved a lot in recent years. Whew!
Don't panic, but if you think you might have an infection—get it checked out right away. And let your friends know too. You're all special!
1 comment:
I've read about this. I think I got it in my email a while ago and it came complete with pictures. Which by the way were horrifying. Good news to pass along, everyone should be aware.
Glad to hear you only had an infection.
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