Specialist Appointment Tomorrow Fears

[FreakOutQueen]

Hi everyone,

I have my specialist appointment tomorrow to discuss my concerns about possibly having Inflammatory Breast Cancer. I feel like she is going to want to do a biopsy because my breasts do have a pink tinge to them. I feel like when I am flushed or anxious they get more pink. I don't feel any swollen lymph nodes, which is the only solace I am seeking right now because I am hopeful I caught it early if I have it (even though with IBC there isn't really an "early"). I am so scared :-( I have a couple questions.

1. Does anyone else have breasts that appear pink (especially when you are flushed)?
2. Can anyone see any broken blood capillaries in their breast?

I feel like my constant poking and prodding has made the issue worse, but my biggest worry is the specialist will dismiss me and it will only get worse. Should I insist on a biopsy? I have read stories where women have been dismissed by their doctors and have been refused a biopsy and then the issue got worse and they actually did end up having IBC. I just can't shake this fear. I just keep telling myself - I am doing everything I can do (going to a specialist and then a psychologist to treat my anxiety). I am only 32 and I don't want to have a life threatening illness :( Any support/reassurance/shared stories would really help me right now.

Thank you in advance.

[NervUs]

No you should not insist on a biopsy. Accept that the doctor tells you and relinquish control if you want to stop feeding your hypochondria.

BTW, how you describe your breast in no way matches symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer. It sounds to me like your breast is totally normal and you're misperceiving regularness on your boob for disease. That is typical hypochondria talking. Really ask the doctor to explain why assymetries and different coloration on the body are to be expected, not feared.

[CHELLEB1017]

I actually went in and seen the head breast cancer surgeon at U of M as well as my ob, the surgeons nurse practitioner, and the surgeons assistant. All on separate occasions and was only seen because I freaked out and contacted the surgeon myself as I work for the University. I was told that if you had IFC you would know. Your breast would swell pretty fast and would be red and also look like an orange peel. It can be mistaken for mastitis. Needless to say I did not have IFC. But I know how real the fear is! Has any doctor looked at your breast yet? I asked for a mammogram even though I had an ultrasound (the issue for me was a breast feeding issue) and she said you don't need one what you need to do is go live your life and be happy and stop worrying! Which for us is so much easier said than done!

[FreakOutQueen]

Hi there,

Thank you for your replies. The specialist was amazing and she said she has seen IBC and said with 99.9999999% confidence I do not have it. IBC is often diagnosed from a clinical examination and then confirmed with a biopsy (which often yields negative results even if you have all of the symptoms). I asked about a biopsy and she said she would not biopsy normal looking skin. She said I could get a mammogram for ease of mind, but did not feel it was necessary. She wants to see me back in two weeks for a follow-up. She said if I was a normal person coming in for an exam she would say I have perfectly normal breasts and they are tinged pink because all of my skin has a pinkish tone. I want to believe her - I really really do - so why am I still not convinced?

[Fishmanpa]

Here's your "Told ya so!" :winks:

You're not totally convinced because you have anxiety disorder that lies to you and you "choose" to believe it. Get help with that and learn how to tell it STFU!

Positive thoughts