Worried I may have IBC?

I've actually had a small patch of thicker skin on my breast for a few months now, only recently did I look it up as to what it could be.

I went to the doctor, he thinks I might have cysts - thought he's actually worried about me enough to suggest he's going to try to get a surgeon friend of his to do a biopsy. (Lol skipping the mammogram nearly!)

 The only thing that confuses me is that this patch of thicker skin hasn't changed, infact, it kind of hasn't done anything. It's not any redder than the skin around it, (it infact is the same color as my aerola?) It has some cysty like things in/near it. I don't have the inverted or flatter nipple, no lymph swelling or anything.. Just a patch of thicker skin on my left breast, slightly near the nipple.

The only time it changes/gets redder is if I poke at it for too long. But then again, what doesn't?

 I just can't get IBC out of my mind though - Looking it up on google is terrifying. - Especially since i'm only 19. e_e!

 

On 10/4/2009 Kinkajou wrote:

I've actually had a small patch of thicker skin on my breast for a few months now, only recently did I look it up as to what it could be.

I went to the doctor, he thinks I might have cysts - thought he's actually worried about me enough to suggest he's going to try to get a surgeon friend of his to do a biopsy. (Lol skipping the mammogram nearly!)

 The only thing that confuses me is that this patch of thicker skin hasn't changed, infact, it kind of hasn't done anything. It's not any redder than the skin around it, (it infact is the same color as my aerola?) It has some cysty like things in/near it. I don't have the inverted or flatter nipple, no lymph swelling or anything.. Just a patch of thicker skin on my left breast, slightly near the nipple.

The only time it changes/gets redder is if I poke at it for too long. But then again, what doesn't?

 I just can't get IBC out of my mind though - Looking it up on google is terrifying. - Especially since i'm only 19. e_e!

I just learned that a friend has IBC. A very good friend of mine died in 1992 after a 3 year battle with IBC. I noticed a small macular lesion on my L breast. I had a simple R mastectomy 3.08 and I am a nurse so I am somewhat of a worry-wart. A mammogram won't show IBC because it is a surface cancer. You need to go to someone familiar with IBC and/or get it biopsied. I am going to my oncology office tomorrow. I am not as panicked as I was but I want an expert to tell me that I don't have to worry or have it biopsied. IBC is rare so many oncologists don't see many cases. Are you near a big medical center? A dermatologist could probably biopsy it or a very experienced oncologist(cancer specialist) could lead you in the right direction. Good luck, and get the followup and reasurrance you need.

Kayatl

 

On 10/7/2009 kayatlanta wrote:

 

On 10/4/2009 Kinkajou wrote:

I've actually had a small patch of thicker skin on my breast for a few months now, only recently did I look it up as to what it could be.

I went to the doctor, he thinks I might have cysts - thought he's actually worried about me enough to suggest he's going to try to get a surgeon friend of his to do a biopsy. (Lol skipping the mammogram nearly!)

 The only thing that confuses me is that this patch of thicker skin hasn't changed, infact, it kind of hasn't done anything. It's not any redder than the skin around it, (it infact is the same color as my aerola?) It has some cysty like things in/near it. I don't have the inverted or flatter nipple, no lymph swelling or anything.. Just a patch of thicker skin on my left breast, slightly near the nipple.

The only time it changes/gets redder is if I poke at it for too long. But then again, what doesn't?

 I just can't get IBC out of my mind though - Looking it up on google is terrifying. - Especially since i'm only 19. e_e!

I just learned that a friend has IBC. A very good friend of mine died in 1992 after a 3 year battle with IBC. I noticed a small macular lesion on my L breast. I had a simple R mastectomy 3.08 and I am a nurse so I am somewhat of a worry-wart. A mammogram won't show IBC because it is a surface cancer. You need to go to someone familiar with IBC and/or get it biopsied. I am going to my oncology office tomorrow. I am not as panicked as I was but I want an expert to tell me that I don't have to worry or have it biopsied. IBC is rare so many oncologists don't see many cases. Are you near a big medical center? A dermatologist could probably biopsy it or a very experienced oncologist(cancer specialist) could lead you in the right direction. Good luck, and get the followup and reasurrance you need.

Kayatl

 I don't have much money, i'm uninsured. I want a biopsy to rule this out, because honestly sitting with it and thinking 'what if this isn't a cyst' has me panicking on occasion. It's unhealthy for me, but I don't know how easily I could get one.

 Right now the only people taking me truely seriously are on the other end of a phone, because i've made a point to call a breast cancer hotline for advice. It really helps, but I still have these moments where I go 'what am I going to do if I have this?' I'm not even 20 yet, the thought of having this cancer terrifies me.

But thank you for replying. Atleast I know now I wasn't being ignored.

My nurse practitioner  gave me a clean bill of health. A couple of more thoughts have come up, IBC is very   rare and a lesion that hasn't changed in months probably  not IBC. If  you are really concerned you could probably go to your health  department for a sliding scale  treatment. In my state low income and  a diagnosis of breast cancer  automatically qualifies you for medicaid.