Hi, I’m new to this site and hoping for some advice. It’s a long story but I will keep it straight to the point. Basically at the beginning of Oct last year I noticed a red patch appear on my left breast near the nipple area. Then the pain started in the same breast but also in my arm, shoulder and back (all on the left side). I saw my GP who said it was nothing to worry about. A few weeks went by and I started to get more pain I my upper left arm but also my pelvis on the left side. I was referred to breast clinic and they did ultra sound which apparently showed nothing although he did take a few still shots which I presume they do to record unusual stuff. I demanded a skin punch biopsy and reluctantly got one done which came back showing chronic inflammation?? Breast clinic advised there was no cancer there and for me to use hydrocortisone cream. So 3months later the rash has faded but not totally gone. I have now got another small red patch appeared on same breast and the pain is still there. It’s almost like a sunburn tingly feeling. My pectoral muscle also hurts. I am very concerned I have ibc. I contacted the breast clinic at the hospital but they won’t see me again without a referral from my GP. So ive booked an appointment with GP this week. Would the redness with you ibc come and go? Is chronic inflammation in breast skin not actually ibc? I’m so scared about this. Thanks in advance for your advice xx
HI and sorry to read you are so anxious. I am not a medical expert, but I do know that inflammation and IBC are not the same. If you dont have cancer cells you dont have IBC. And IBC is very aggressive and isnt likely to “get better”. So if you have seen improvements in your skin, it probably is a skin problem that you had. It sounds like you were very thoroughly checked over, and if they did a punch biopsy you can takie some reassurance from that.
Try not to worry - if the cream helped it probably is something relatively minor.
Saying that if you are still having pain and skin issues, asking your GP to take another look is absolutely the right thing to do. It may be that you need to try some different medication.
Thank you so much for your reply. It’s reassuring what you have said. I will get checked out again at my GP on Friday. At 3yrs old with 2 young children it’s sure does worry me. Hopefully all will be resolved soon x
34yr old that was meant to say!