An E-Mail Health Warning That Is Real

Posting Date: 07/21/1999

Urban rumors are fake health warnings or stories that get passed along via e-mail, but one message making the rounds these days doesn?t fit the hoax category - because it?s true.

I?m telling you about this particular e-mail because the woman sending it to me wasn?t sure if it was an urban rumor and asked for my opinion. It turns out it?s really a health warning about how women should be aware of an itchy, flaky rash on the nipple because it may be a symptom of Paget?s disease, a form of cancer.

Because of the importance of being aware of this disease, I?m posting the correspondence titled: Paget?s disease of the nipple?

"Dear Dr. Dean:

"Below is the email message I received. Is this a real disease or an urban rumor? -- Ann

"Paget's is a rare form of breast cancer, and is on the outside of the breast, on the nipple and areola, it appears as a rash which later became a lesion with a crusty outer edge. I would not have ever suspected it to be breast cancer but it was. My nipple never seemed any different to me, but the rash bothered me so I went to my doctor's office for that.

"Sometimes it itched and was sore but other than that it didn't really bother me. It was just ugly and a nuisance, would not clear up with the creams given to me by my doctor and dermatologist for the dermatitis on my eyes I had just prior to this outbreak.

"Therefore, I went to the doctor's office for assistance. They seemed a little concerned but did not warn me it could be cancerous. Now I suspect there are not many women out there who know a lesion or rash on the nipple or areola can be breast cancer.

"What are the symptoms? Mine started out as a single red pimple on the areola. One of the biggest problems with Paget's disease of the nipple is that the symptoms appear to be harmless. It is frequently thought to be a skin inflammation or infection, leading to unfortunate delays in detection and care.

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