Q: 'Spot' on my right breast
Hi Sarah - I'm sorry, we're not medical experts here - simply well-read breast cancer survivors. In the absence of any other symptoms (which you're clearly aware of, from your reading), I'd wait several weeks and see if this disappears on its own. If it changes - becomes larger, or if you note any other "trouble signs" (heat, pain, swelling, itchiness), then I'd see a doctor. If it doesn't change at all, then you might still want to see a dermatologist, to find out what it might be. But please don't panic - what you describe isn't a typical breast cancer symptom. Just take it seriously enough to keep your eye on it; and then take deliberate (not panicked) action, as you see how things develop. Take care - PJH
You're so right about too much information - and not enough knowledge. Of course it's natural to "awfulize" anything concerning your health. You probably went right to inflammatory breast cancer, right? While it can indeed start with a small spot, it's usually a bruised appearance or rash-type thing, rather than a red bump. And it's quite rare; so, have faith in the odds, which point to this being simply a temporary skin thing. You'll keep worrying, for sure, even if only a little bit; but the longer it goes without anything changing, the more likely it is not to be something serious. At least, that's my layperson theory! Check back in here and let us know what happens, OK? I'll be sending you positive energy - and enjoy France! PJH
You got it spot on - pardon the pun! Thanks very much again and for explaining what it would more likely look like if it was more serious. I'll let you know when it disappears and I can laugh about jumping the gun.
And I'll ask Phyllis, our IBC expert, to come add her 2¢ here, too - bet you didn't know you'd get this much response! We aim to please - 
That would be fantastic. Although your help has been wonderful today - it's great to know there are sites out there like this where you get simple straight forward responses, without lots of people jumping in adding their input without thinking of the consequences it might have for the person asking the question. Thank you.
Hi Sarah, I'm not a medical expert, but I have read hundreds of women's stories about their experiences with inflammatory breast cancer as a participant in an on-line support group for IBC. I'm a fifteen year survivor of IBC myself. I can tell you that it is much too soon to panic. This sounds more like some sort of skin issue. Ask yourself whether you would want a doctor to take a look if this same spot was on your arm or tummy to get your gut take on how serious this might be. You will want to monitor the spot, and head straight for the doctor if it does start to look like an infection--heat, pain, swelling, spreading, etc. In that case, it will probably be an infection, but another possibility would be IBC. Although you might have some issues with the language barrier, doctors in France will be perfectly competent to treat IBC.
If the spot doesn't go away or gets worse, and you decide to see a doctor, writing down the symptoms and your questions in French before you get there would be a good idea. That way you can get someone to help you or have time to check your English/French dictionary. I hope this just clears up on its own like so many skin issues.
Thanks Phyllis, I very much appreciate your input. When I hear from someone like you who has been through it all yourself I must admit I do feel a little silly! You're completely right, if this appeared on my arm or leg I genuinely wouldn't do anything about it and just assume it was a bite or skin rash. As I mentioned before it's the negatives of being able to search about literally anything online that causes the panic-mode to set in without logically thinking it through! The healthcare in France is fantastic so i have no doubt if needed I would be treated brilliantly, and in all likelihood have a doctor who could converse well enough in English that I wouldn't feel my needs were compromised in any way. But hopefully, and very likely, I won't need to find out, well certainly not for this anyway! Thanks again for your advice and I'm sure in the next few days it'll clear up of its own accord.
There is absolutely no reason to feel silly. I was really upset when I was diagnosed, not just because I had cancer, but because although I considered myself well-informed on women's health issues, I had no idea that my symptoms could be cancer. It's good that you are not ignoring any symptoms, and because of your research, you now know more about the symptoms of IBC. It may be that sometime in the future, you will be able to urge a friend to get to the doctor right away for symptoms that do turn out to be dangerous.
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Thanks so much for your quick response. You've stated pretty much what I was thinking and what my action should be, so I very much appreciate your input. The internet is a great thing, but sometimes there can be too much information that can put you into panic mode even though under normal circumstances I'm a fairly rational person! I'll monitor it and wait to see if anything changes over the coming weeks. Thanks again and have a great week:)