Paget's Disease...Please pass this on to all you know...

I have recieved this email a couple of times before but this time My thougths were what better way to share this with all who have not gotten it than to put this up as advice article on MInti...So here is the email I recieved in it's full form...

New kind of Breast Cancer
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  dermatologist 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 center of nipple).

3. Usually only one nipple is effected. 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 the e-mail, we can make others aware of it and its potential  danger, we are helping women everywhere.

Please, if you can, take a moment 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.

This email is still as scary to me as it was the first time I read it...And it checks out on the Snopes website too...So please copy this and send it to as many people you know....

Take care all..
Cheers
Angie