OT: Another form of breast cancer

November 1, 2000

Another type of breast cancer: In November, I lost my sister to a rare kind of breast cancer. She 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 and it continued to get worse, her doctor sent her for another mammogram,and this time it showed a mass.

A biopsy found a fast growing malignancy. Chemo was started in order to shrink the growth; then mastectomy; then a full round of chemo; then radiation. After about 9 months of intense treatment, she was given a clean bill of health. One year of living each day to its fullest - then it returned to the liver area. She took 4 treatments and decided that she wanted quality of life, not the after effects of chemo. We had 5 great months and she planned each detail of the final days. After just a few days of needing morphine, she slipped away saying she had done what God had sent her into the world to do and now it was her time to go. I still have tears as I write, but her message is shown below.

And PLEASE-Be alert to any thing that is not normal, and be persistent in getting help as soon as possible.

JUANITA BUSH Paget's Disease This is a rare form of breast cancer, and is on the outside of the breast, on the nipple and aureola. 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 there are not many women out there who know a lesion or rash on the nipple or aureola can be breast cancer.

Mine started out as a single red pimple on the aureola. 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? The symptoms include: 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

3. aureola area with a whitish thick looking area in center of nipple). 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. They will take a sample of your breast tissue in that area to test for cancer. If the cancer is only in the nipple and not in the breast, your doctor may recommend just removing the nipple and surrounding tissue or suggest radiation treatments. Had my doctor caught mine right away, instead of flaking it off as dermatitis, perhaps they could have saved my breast, and it wouldn't have gone to my lymph nodes.

This message should be taken seriously and passed on to as many of your 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!

November 4, 2000

In situations where there is any question of unidentified cause of lesions,

it is extremely important to insist on biopsy. I lost one dear friend to

delayed breast cancer diagnosis. When my ex-wife was being tested for

breast cancer, I worked with her doctors to see that we got an appointment

with the chief radiation oncologist. He read her test, consulted with the

lab, and concluded that while there was very little evidence on her slides,

it seemed the cancerous cells were on the slide's edge. That meant that it

was a toss-up whether there was just limited cancer, or whether the cells

were simply the beginning of a larger, more affected area.

People tend to hem & haw about breast cancer surgery as if they really have

the latitude to make decisions on the types of mastectomy based on their

feelings. This kind of delay is how I lost my friend. Cancer doesn't

consult you or follow you time schedule. I arranged for a second opinion on

the biopsy slides of my wife at Sloan Kettering, a hospital specialized in

cancer. All this took place because I stepped above the line surgeon

treating my wife & simply asked for the consultations. At Sloan Kettering,

from just a few cells, a very serious, pernicious form of cancer was

identified. All this was done in the course of about 10 days Since there is

the option of reconstructive surgery, a radical mastectomy was performed;

also reconstructive plastic surgery. My ex wife is now, thank G-d a cancer

survivor. She does have weakness from muscle tissue removal, and must wear

a sleeve at night to decrease arm swelling from removal of parts of the

lymphatic system. There is a price for everything, calculated or unexpected.

I also find it important to mention that 25% of breast cancer victims are

men, and men should do periodic self-examination the same as women.

Ken

At 01:50 AM 11/2/00 -0500, Tammy Hutchins wisely said:

>Another type of breast cancer:

>

>In November, I lost my sister to a rare kind of breast

November 4, 2000