Inflammatory breast cancer - what were your symptoms?

[BadLuckNameChange]

I’m having a scan and biopsy on September 5 of a lump that is at least 5 cm. Everyone told me that it was “good” that my breast hurt, because breast cancer is painless. I’m now realizing though, that I have a lot of the symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer, including swelling, discomfort, itching, a strange rash. Has anyone had this? If you had a rash, can you try to describe it? I’d be so grateful.

I'm really sorry have no knowledge of this just bumping your thread. I wish you all the luck though and I hope whatever type it is will be dealt with quickly and successfully.

Thank you!!! That’s quite kind of you. I spent I don’t know how long online trying to find photos of the inflammatory breast cancer “rash.” I found some, but nothing that looks exactly like mine. A lot of what’s online as images of breast cancer symptoms are drawings, which I’m sure can be very helpful for women to remind them of the symptoms, but it makes it difficult to actually compare it to reality (at least for me right now).

https://breastcancernow.org

This charity may be able to help.

Good luck with the scan and appointment. The waiting and not knowing is horrible.

@Silverbirchleaf Thank you! I’ll check that now.

Hey @BadLuckNameChange

My mum had IBC. It was like her whole breast was inflamed! Very swollen and very red but with no lump. It had literally doubled in size overnight. Very aggressive.
I am not a doctor or oncologist but yours does not sound like IBC.

i hope you get some answers soon ❤️

@FartNRoses Thank you so much! Yes, I’ve had some minor skin changes but it’s not that aggressive so I really suspect they will discover my lump (since I have one; as you said, your mum didn’t) is something benign.

@BadLuckNameChange Fingers crossed everything will be fine. I’m pretty sure it will be.
All the best 🌸

@FartNRoses Yes, I know that 90%+ of people referred for cancer investigation are in the clear, so I’m sure I will be. I think I’ve allowed myself to become a little concerned because the lump is so large and I had some minor skin changes, but it would be much more severe if it was inflammatory breast cancer, absolutely, so I feel confident it will be fine.