Infection or Cancer?

Hi Bloomz.  I'm sorry you find yourself here, but my advice to you would be to stop researching; it's hard not to Google but at this stage it's not helpful.  I don't know how long you'll have to wait for your appointment at the breast clinic, but try and keep busy/distracted until then.

Best wishes

Hi Bloomz. I have been in the same place as you. I had your symptoms (my right breast suddenly turned maroon literally over night). There was thickening too. I took myself down to A&E straightaway ( we were in our second lockdown at the time). I was treated with antibiotics,  but the doctor could feel a lump. The next day I was in the acute clinic and I was the only person there. I had Covid test, mammograms, ultrasound, blood tests, registrar, student doctors looking at me. Basically everything but a biopsy. I googled my symptoms, and IBC came up everytime. I told the nurse what I had found, and the reply was that IBC was what they thought it was. I was told not to Google anymore, and for once, I did as I was told. Two days later I had a biopsy and an MRI (I believe that IBC shows up on an MRI). A week after, the Consultant confirmed it was breast cancer, but it was not IBC. The tumour was blocking some glands in the breast, and that was causing the redness, swelling, hardness etc. By the end of that week I was on 5 months chemo, and I elected for a mastectomy a week after chemo. But that was my choice. I admit that I wondered if they had made a mistake, but the pathology report from the mastectomy (the consultant told me that samples were taken of the tissue and the skin) confirmed that it was not. Have you been referred to the breast clinic? 

Remember of course, that equally, the lump that your GP felt might not be a cancer, but that it could be causing the redness. It is really hard not to keep thinking and worrying whilst you are waiting. I knew before formal diagnosis that it was a cancer - the ultrasound picked up that much before seeing the Consultant. But I didn’t know what type of cancer. I was also 59 at the time, high is very different to you, so I was in a much higher risk age group. 

I have been referred, yes. Thank you for replying and I am so sorry to hear what you have been through. I know i shouldn't Google but it's difficult not to. I am to be contacted them within a week and seen by them within 2 weeks. 

I hope you're well now.

Thank you, I'm trying so hard x

Thank you. I am through my primary treatment and am now on hormone treatment that is prescribed for us older ladies. I feel for you, my son is 20. Google will have told you that because of your age, statistics are on your side. The vast majority of ladies seen in the breast clinic leave with a smile on their face. But you did the right thing posting on here, as you are never alone. Yo7 take care now. Big hug.