New kind of Breast Cancer - DO NOT DELETE

Please forward to all of the women in your lives. Mothers, daughters,
sisters, aunts, friends, etc.
In November, a rare kind of breast cancer was found. A lady developed a rash
on her breast, similar to that of young mothers who are nursing.
Because her mammogram had been clear, the doctor treated her with
antibiotics for infections. After 2 rounds, it continued to get worse, so
her doctor sent her for another mammogram. This time it showed a mass.
A biopsy found a fast growing malignancy. Chemo was started in order to
shrink the growth; then a mastectomy was performed; then a full round of
Chemo; then radiation. After about 9 months of intense treatment, she was
given a clean bill of health.
She had one year of living each day to its fullest! Then the cancer returned
to the liver area. She took 4 treatments and decided that she wanted quality
of life, not the after effects of Chemo. She had 5 great months and she
planned each detail of the final days. After a few days of needing morphine,
she died. She left this message to be delivered to women everywhere:

Women, PLEASE be alert to anything that is not normal, and be persistent in
getting help as soon as possible.
Paget's Disease: This is a rare form of breast cancer, and is on the outside
of the breast, on the nipple and aureole. It appeared as a rash, which later
became a lesion with a crusty outer edge. I would not have ever suspected it
to be breast cancer but it was. My nipple never seemed any different to me,
but the rash bothered me, so I went to the doctor for that. Sometimes, it
itched and was sore, but other than that it didn't bother me. It was just
ugly and a nuisance, and could not be cleared up with all the creams
prescribed by my doctor and de! rmatolog ist for the dermatitis on my eyes just
prior to this outbreak. They seemed a little concerned but did not warn me
IT could be cancerous.

Now, I suspect not many women out there know a lesion or rash on the nipple
or aureole can be breast
cancer. Mine started out as a single red pimple on the aureole. One of the
biggest problems with Paget's disease of the nipple is that the symptoms
appear to be harmless. It is frequently thought to be a skin inflammation
or infection, leading to unfortunate delays in detection and care.

What are the symptoms? 1. A persistent redness, oozing, and crusting of your
nipple causing it to itch and burn. (As I stated, mine did not itch or burn
much, and had no oozing I was aware of, but it did have a crust along the
outer edge on one side.)2. A sore on your nipple that will not heal. (Mine
was on the aureole area with a whitish thick looking area in centre of
nipple). 3. Usually only one nipple is affected. How is it diagnosed? Your
doctor will do a physical exam and should suggest having a mammogram of both
breasts, done immediately. Even though the redness, oozing and crusting
closely resemble dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), your doctor should
suspect cancer if the sore is only on one breast. Your doctor should order a
biopsy of your sore! To confirm what IS going on. This message should be
taken seriously and passed on to as many of your relatives and friends as
possible; it could save someone's life. My breast cancer has spread and
metastasized to my bones after receiving mega doses of chemotherapy, 28
treatments of radiation and taking Tamaxofin. If this had been diagnosed as
breast cancer in the beginning, perhaps it would not have spread...

TO ALL READERS: This is sad, as women are not aware of Paget's disease. If,
by passing this around on an e-mail, we can make others aware of it and its
potential danger, we are helping women everywhere. Please, if you can, tak! e
a m oment to forward this message to as many people as possible, especially
to your family and friends. It only takes a moment, yet the results could
save a life.



LIVE WELL
LAUGH OFTEN
LOVE MUCH

Great post.

Umm.. I must say, it feels wierd having ny name on this thread subject.
That is such a sad story.
Thank you for sharing that information and giving us a reminder to get a mammogram.