Thanks so much for your sensible, no nonsenmse approach to the questions you are asked. You have answered two questions of mine already but I would like to ask another.

About 5 weeks ago I woke up to find the underside of my right breast was bright red in colour. I had experienced some sharp, "insect bit-like pains" the previous evening so thought this could be related. I saw the doctor who prescribed antihistamines and cortisone cream. The rash was already faded by the following day but still noticeable. I had a mammogram two days after the rash appearing and this was compared to all my previous mammograms. The radiologist didn't pick up anything sinister. i saw the GP again 2 days later as i was really concerned about IBC. She examined me, didn't think there was too much to be concerned about but sent me to a surgeon with extensive experience in breast cancers. When i saw him a few days later therre was still some residual redness but he examined me and fewlt that there was nothing out of the ordinary and that the right breast appeared no difeerent from the left. he suggested I wait a month and go back to see him.

During the month (a really long wait) the redness faded completely from the breast but I began experiencing a lot of discomfort in the breast. I have to say that I think a lot of it is psychological and related to muscle tension etc that I started experiencing in my neck and back on that side. I have been having some physiotherapy which seems to ease the discomfort for a while.

I went for my follow up visit to the surgeon last week and he is still convinced that there is nothing wrong and suggested that I continue with the physion and have a further mammogram in a years time. He did send me for ESR and CRP blood tests as well and said that if there was anything untoward he would contact me, if not, there was nothing to worry about. I asked him about the breast discomfort - it can't be called pain its just a weird feeling that seems to move around the breast - sometimes at the top, sometimes on the bottom, sometimes accompanied with sharp shooting pains also in all different spots through the breast and he said that breast pain/ discomfort is a funny thing and that sometimes it will occur and disappear all on its own. he really didn't give me the impression that he was worried at all.

My breast feels a little swollen to me but when I feel it compated to the left, there is no difference in texture, firmness, skin changes etc and the rash that started this whole thing off has certainly not returned.

Shall I continue to just monitor the breast myself to see if any further changes occur and try and relax about it while I am doing this or do you think I should follow up more aggressively?

I am sometimes convinced that the discomfort really is psychsomatic because I am also constantly aware of that breast and continually pressing and prodding to see if I can feel any changes to it.

Thanks again for your advice!