A few weeks ago I had some soreness around my nipples and a bit of dry flaky skin. Then on my right breast I developed a small rash around (not on) the nipple with more flakiness. I thought it was just one of those things but yesterday I experienced stabbing/shooting pain in that breast. Saw the GP today and she has referred me to the local breast clinic. She said it is very unlikely to be anything as I am young (29), have no family history of cancer, not on the pill, no ethnicity risks, etc. The thing is though she didn’t even mention anything else that it might be. I’m at home now with my thoughts just going round and round in circles. Surely this is just a yeast infection (I regularly get mild yeast infections under the breast as I have a very large bust) or eczema or something. But then why didn’t she prescribe some cream for me to try? And what is the pain about? Googling suggests that you can get shooting pain with a yeast infection but that’s only mentioned for women who are breastfeeding which I’m not.
Do I really need this appointment at the clinic? Does anyone have experience of benign breast rashes?
Hi Dotty29,
I am still waiting for my clinic appointment and it feels like it’s taking forever, if I were you I would stay away from google. It really doesn’t help, the people on here are far better to speak to and read about. Your appointment is probably just to eliminate possibilities, I always say it’s better to be safe than sorry. I am young like you and have been told the lump I found is probably nothing but atleast once you go to the clinic you can leave reassured! My symptoms are very different to yours so unfortunately I cant help there, but I am sure someone will come along and comment soon. I hope you feel a little bit better.
T x
Hi Dotty29 and welcome to the BCC forums
Along with the help and support here please feel free to call our helpliners to talk through your concerns, lines are open weekdays 9-5 and Saturdays 10-2 on 0808 800 6000
You may find the BCC ‘Worried about breast cancer’ web page useful to read too, just click on this link to access this information:
Best wishes
Lucy
Thanks for the comments. Appointment is tomorrow and I feel really bad about wasting their time. I have become increasingly convinced that this is just eczema or something similar. I have dry skin on my other breast already, this rash isn’t on and hasn’t ever been on the nipple, and Paget’s is so incredibly rare, especially in my age group. I know I have to go with what the doctor says but, like I say, I feel guilty for making a fuss in the first place.
I’m going to the Glenfield in Leicester. Does anyone know if they will do all the tests in one day there or if they make follow up appointments depending on the initial assessment? I don’t know what to expect.
Never feel guilty about making a fuss regarding your health, you are not making a fuss just being proactive and responsible. I don’t know about Glenfield, but most breast clinics are ‘one stop’ - you will see a specialist, he/she may order ultrasound ( probably not mammo as you are young and they are not so effective), and if necessary a biopsy. You may need a second appointment for results. Most clinics have some sort of web presence, and you may be able to download their patient leaflet which will tell you what to expect.
I imagine your GP is just being proactive, which is a good thing. If you just have a case of eczema, the clinic will be able to set your mind at rest. Pagets is one rare form of BC, Inflammatory BC is another - it can present with redness and inflammation. Your GP is likely to want to have this ruled out. So many young women get fobbed off by their doctors, it’s good to know that you are not one of them.
Here’s hoping that all will be fine for you tomorrow and that everything will clear up nicely with some steroid cream. Take care.
Thanks so much for your comment at45. It’s really made me feel better.
Have been having a last minute freak out of a different kind in the last couple of hours as I’ve been filling in the forms that I need to take to the appointment. Suddenly thought - what if? Not helped by the fact that I now seem to be able to detect all kinds of oddities (swelling, dimpling, etc.) on that breast which I think are probably just a product of my overactive imagination.
Still, you are right. I’m getting it checked out and that’s the right thing to do whatever it is. I’m going to pour myself a glass of wine, stick something trashy on the tv and just try to forget about the whole thing until tomorrow.
Thanks again.
Just got back from my appointment. I was incredibly impressed by how thorough and caring the staff were, especially the nurses. Still feel a bit bad about wasting their time but immensely reassured by how thorough they were. Consultant examined me and couldn’t feel anything wrong. They did an ultrasound which didn’t show up anything and then they did a punch biopsy. They want me to go back for the results of that in two weeks but the consultant was clear that he’s not worried.
The one thing I was confused by was the need for this second appointment if the biopsy doesn’t show anything. I asked whether they would cancel the appointment if all was clear and they said no. I really do feel like that appointment slot should go to someone else if they are taking the time essentially to tell me it is a bit of eczema. Surely my GP could do that? Does anyone know why they need you to go to this follow-up appointment if it’s nothing sinister?
PS - I guess I should add that as well as not wanting to take up the appointment time I would much rather I didn’t have to go through the worry of going to the clinic again. I’d really rather not sit in the waiting room with my stomach in knots again only to be told it’s nothing.
I know what you mean Dotty - the waiitng room is never a fun experience. I’m really glad you had a good experience with your team at the clinic, I think it make a big difference to how reassured someone feels - whatever way you look at it breast clinics are stress inducing places!
As for going back to the appointment, I think it’s really important that you do, Whatever the outcome of your biopsy you may have questions by then that can only be fully answered by the consultant. I wasn’t given a follow up appointment, which at first was a relief, but to be honest I did have questions which my GP can’t answer for me. Having the follow up appointment doesn’t mean anyhting sinister is going on, it just means you are going to a good clinic which has patient care as its priority. I went to a clinic that doesn’t have patient care as a priority - and it really didn’t help me. You wont be taking up time that could be given to another patient, as ALL women with breast problems are now seen withing two weeks. That appointment is YOUR time, so you should take it without feeling bad and definitely make sure you attend. The breast specialist will have information that your GP doesn’t. Take care.
Suddenly, oddly, I am feeling scared today. I have been having more pain in my breast the past couple of days which is probably actually because of the biopsy itself (consultant said to expect this after all).
Also, I have some very difficult and stressful stuff going on at work at the moment and am supposed to be taking some holiday to visit family this week so there is a lot going on.
After all the positive signals from everyone I’ve seen (GP, consultant, ultrasound doctor) it’s still so hard not to start worrying.
Need to get a bit of perspective I think and remember that every sign so far has been good and that this is almost certainly just a bit of rash. I think it would help if I could do some fun things to take my mind off it but when I’m stuck for hours working alone at my computer my mind does tend to wander. Any good stories out there of worries which turned into nothing? Any ideas for distraction techniques whilst waiting?
Just wanted to say that I had my follow-up last week and it’s nasty bout of dermatitis rather than anything more serious. Incredibly relieved. Have nothing but praise for the hospital staff and my GP - they were brilliant throughout and it’s so good to have this investigated and sorted rather being left wondering.
Thank you to others on the forum for their support during the wait for appointments and results. I wish you all the very, very best, especially if you are waiting for results or haven’t been lucky enough to have a good outcome as I have. Given the strain of the past few weeks, I can’t imagine how those of you who receive a diagnosis cope - I think it’s amazing that you find the strength to support others as well.
Thank you!
Hi Dotty,
Im new to the forum and just wanted to say that I’m glad you got good news. I’m currently waiting on an appt and feel the same as you, that I’m wasting their time. It’s nice to know that they were very caring and didn’t make you feel that way.