Concerns About Possible Paget's Disease or Cancer: Symptoms in Right Breast
I'm sharing this on behalf of my mother (using a throwaway account). **Gender:** Female **Ethnicity:** Asian **Age:** Approaching 43 this May **Current Medications:** None, but she regularly consumes glutathione and biotin gummies. It all started on March 17th, when my mom observed a painless, dark gray, mole-like growth near her right nipple, right on the areola, roughly the same size as her nipple. Additionally, she experienced itching primarily in the upper section of her breast. Initially, we didn’t think it was serious and left it unattended. Fast forward to two days ago (March 20th), my mother discovered clear fluid coming from the mole-like growth, which ended up staining her bra. However, there was no discharge from her nipple itself, leading us to dismiss our concerns for the time being. The itchiness has been intermittent, but the size of the growth has remained unchanged. Then, yesterday (March 21st), she started feeling a burning sensation in her right chest muscle, side of the breast, underarm, and back on the same side as the lesion. When I asked her to rate the intensity of the pain from 1 to 10, she indicated it was around 7 to 8. Notably, she had experienced similar discomfort in those areas a few months back (around December to January), which lasted several days but eventually subsided. The only medication she took at that time were pain relievers, so we figured that if she took them again, the pain might resolve as before. Earlier today, however, she noticed that her right nipple and areola had taken on a dark pinkish-red hue, while her left side remained the usual brown shade. Although there’s no pain on her nipple or areola, her right breast feels warm. When she scratches it, red rashes appear but vanish when left alone. She continues to experience burning pain in her right chest muscle, side of the breast, armpit, underarm, and back. She is taking pain relievers to help manage the discomfort. The mole-like growth hasn’t altered in size, and while the itchiness in her right breast can sometimes fade, it's still present. There are no changes in her left breast, and she's had no lumps, swelling, or inverted nipples. Additionally, the skin has not shown any flaky or scaly patches, nor is there any discharge from her nipples. Given the symptoms, we are understandably anxious about the possibility of Paget's disease or breast cancer. I’m reaching out for guidance and support here. **Extra Details:** Her menstrual cycle is approaching (expected last week of March), and there is a family history of cancer in my grandmother. I would greatly appreciate any insights or comments on this situation. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Answers (1)
3/22/2025, 1:20:40 PM
OpenHealth AI
I'm sorry to hear about your mother's symptoms; it sounds concerning, especially considering the recent changes she's experienced. It's understandable to feel anxious, but let’s break down the situation and focus on actions to take.
Key Points
Your mother has developed several notable symptoms, including a mole-like growth near her right nipple, fluid discharge, itchiness, burning sensations, and changes in skin color. These symptoms could be associated with various conditions, including Paget's disease of the nipple or other breast-related issues, but it's critical to obtain a professional evaluation.
Explanation
- Mole-like Growth and Discharge: The presence of a new growth and clear fluid discharge, along with itchiness, can raise concerns. In Paget's disease, the skin of the nipple can change and could indicate an underlying issue, such as breast cancer.
- Burning Sensation and Pain: The burning pain in the chest area, particularly under the arm, alongside the changes in the breast skin color, adds to the need for thorough examination.
- Family History: With a family history of cancer, it’s essential to be vigilant and proactive when there are concerning signs.
Next Steps
-
Immediate Evaluation: It is crucial for your mother to see a healthcare professional as soon as possible. While I cannot diagnose conditions, her symptoms warrant an evaluation, which may include a clinical breast examination and imaging tests (like an ultrasound or mammogram).
-
Symptom Monitoring: Keep track of any changes in her symptoms, including the size of the growth, pain intensity, or any new symptoms that arise. Documenting everything can help inform her healthcare provider.
-
Pain Management: Continue using over-the-counter pain relievers for her discomfort. However, it’s vital to avoid excessive use without medical supervision and consult a professional regarding sustained pain.
-
Avoid Self-treatment of Symptoms: While it may be tempting to scratch or apply topical treatments, it’s best to avoid this to prevent further irritation until a proper diagnosis is made.
-
Reassurance and Support: Encourage her to engage in self-care activities that reduce anxiety, like gentle exercises, meditation, or yoga, while also stressing the importance of seeking medical care.
In summary, encourage your mother to seek medical attention without delay. It’s understandable to feel worried, but addressing these symptoms head-on with a healthcare provider is the best way to manage the situation. Please feel free to reach out if you have any further questions or need more support.
Related Questions
Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?
I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.
Understanding Possible Seizure Triggers and Recurrence Risks
Health Background: I am a 21-year-old female, standing at 169 cm and weighing 65 kg. Over the past three years, I have been using oral contraceptives. As of this morning, I started taking 25 mcg of levothyroxine along with a weekly vitamin D supplement of 0.266 mg. Recently, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and found to have a vitamin D deficiency that I suspect has existed for the last three years. I do not consume alcohol or smoke, and I can confirm I am not pregnant. Two years ago, I experienced a mild concussion. I currently reside in Spain. A couple of months back, in mid-December, I blacked out twice. The second occurrence took place while I was at the doctor’s office after seeking urgent medical care for the initial incident. Following the second episode, I underwent a CT scan and an EKG, both of which returned normal results. Further tests, as directed by my physician, revealed a critical vitamin D deficiency and hypothyroidism; however, he expressed doubt that either of these conditions led to my loss of consciousness. I was then referred to a neurologist, and I am presently awaiting an appointment. Although the waiting period is lengthy, my doctor indicated that I should receive priority for scheduling, although the exact timeframe remains uncertain. The referral document summarized my events, labeling the second episode (which the physician witnessed) as a potential seizure devoid of tonic-clonic movements—a revelation that took me by surprise. After regaining consciousness, I felt extremely disoriented and terrified, struggling to process what was happening. I have no prior history of seizures, epilepsy, or any related conditions, and there is no known family history of these issues. If this indeed was a seizure, what might have triggered it? Additionally, what is the likelihood of experiencing another one? Since that time, I have not had any further incidents, but I have experienced moments where I felt a sense of impending doom, which I managed to overcome. I intend to wait for the neurologist's evaluation, but the uncertainty surrounding a possible neurological condition is quite distressing. Thank you for any insight you can provide!
Persistent Pain in Right Shoulder and Arm After Lifting
Hello, everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male and have been engaged in weightlifting for several years now. Recently, I’ve been struggling with ongoing discomfort in my right shoulder and arm, which I haven’t been able to accurately identify. The pain manifests during particular movements, especially with lateral raises or when my arm is raised to shoulder level while rotating my wrist. Certain pressing and pulling activities can also provoke this discomfort. Rather than feeling sharp, it’s a deep, nagging sensation that sometimes seems localized in the front area of the shoulder or at the biceps tendon, and at other times it feels more like it’s situated between the shoulder and upper arm. Fortunately, there’s no numbness or tingling involved. This issue began while I was working out. I decided to take a break for around two months, but when I returned, the pain persisted. After consulting a physician, I was diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis. Since then, I’ve reduced my upper-body workouts, completely steering clear of shoulder exercises and heavy lifting, and have begun a gentle rehabilitation regimen focusing on external rotations, pendulum movements, and scapular exercises. Despite adhering to this routine for about a week, I haven’t experienced any noticeable improvement. Is it typical for this type of tendon injury to require an extended period for recovery? At what point should I consider diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI? Additionally, are there frequent rehabilitation errors that might impede the healing process? I appreciate your insights in advance!
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.
INTENSE Spine Discomfort, Breathing Difficulties, Muscle Twitches, and Sweating
To elaborate on the situation mentioned in the title, I’ve been experiencing unusual muscle twitches and spasms for the past few days, along with some discomfort in my back. However, today, I felt an unexpected sharp pain shoot through my spine, which has left my legs feeling numb and made it impossible for me to sit up straight. Additionally, I’ve been dealing with cold sweats for the last hour and struggling to breathe properly. Perhaps I’m just overanalyzing things and it’s a common occurrence, but the intensity of the pain is overwhelming—it's truly unbearable. I’m shaking quite a bit, and unfortunately, my parents aren’t responding to my attempts to reach them for help. I have a history of a chronic heart condition and arthritis, yet I’ve never experienced pain this severe, especially in my spine. For context, I am nearly 15 years old and female. My current medications include pain relievers, anxiety medication, beta blockers, and some vitamins, though those specifics may not be particularly relevant. I don’t smoke; however, I have tried vaping a few times, which might not matter much, but I thought it was worth mentioning as it was requested.