Awaiting transfer from private diagnosis to NHS care, and panicking that it's actually inflammatory breast cancer

Hi, sorry to hear you're worried about your diagnosis, or potential worsening of it.  I might suggest you have a chat with the lovely folks at Macmillan.  They are available 8-8 daily on 0800 808 0000 for questions just like this and I am sure they'll be able to talk things through with you. Best wishes 

Ok, you have your diagnosis (private), when is your NHS appointment and where? 

I haven't got a diagnosis but my GP initially treated me for mastitis with antibiotics but gave me a review appointment 7 days later 

At that appointment with my symptoms the same (red pinkish mark, swollen breast and swollen lymph nodes) she sent urgent referral to NHS Cancer Care Teams.  

She explained I possibly have Inflammatory Breast Cancer !!

I am starting the New Year with investigations on Monday 5th at my local Cancer Care Centre.

Yes I'm scared silly but apart from my son and daughter I have no other support (I'm a widow).

You need to speak to the lovely Macmillan Nurses on the telephone about your situation - maybe if you have siblings or someone to tell about your diagnosis you might feel better.

Yes it is scary but I think instead of running scared it is better to take control and think I am going to get through this and I will not be beaten by it!

I send you gentle hugs from Yorkshire xx

Hi both. I was diagnosed almost five years ago to the day, with almost the same symptoms as yourself, Rusty53x. And everyone who examined me (trainee doctors were brought in to have a look - which I didn’t mind as they have to learn these things) believed it to be inflammatory breast cancer. But it wasn’t, as indicated by the biopsies, of which there were several. Post surgery, the pathology results revealed a mixed lobular and invasive ductal breast cancer. The lobular bit wasn’t seen on the mammogram and MRI. I had five months of chemo prior to a mastectomy. 

The waiting game is awful, but talking to the MacMillan nurses did help. Xx

Ohhh this is interesting!  I suppose it is a waiting game for investigations and test results.  Mt own problem is that this is my second visit to the cancer care centre (I had a false alarm in March 2025 which was challenging in itself).  I have also had previous lumpectomy on the other breast (can't remember the name of cancer but it was State 2 border Stage 3).  So being faced with what could be the inflammatory breast cancer is just a bit scary.  I take comfort that my lumpectomy and radiotherapy was way back in 2013 so I've done pretty well before these challenges.  At least my GP and NHS haven't hung around before getting me in for investigations.  Happy New Year to everybody by the way xxx

Thank you all so much for replying - and with such kindness, and calm good sense. After a fraught New Year's Eve, I am feeling (perhaps momentarily... but still a welcome change...) more prepared to face 2026 with as much positivity as I can muster. I'm very grateful to be in this supportive forum, and I wish you all a Happy New Year!