Red breast - worried

About 8 weeks ago I noticed my breast was very red almost like a ring up to the top, covering about the third of my breast. I assumed mastitis but doctor said I would have pain/fever/chills for confirmed case and left it at that.

 I went back 2 weeks later and asked for a face to face appointment where he agreed mastitis and I was given antibiotics. Despite finishing the course I think I only noticed one day where my breast didn't look inflamed. 
I went back early this week where doctor said it was strange the antibiotics didn't work and gave me another course of them. 

I do tend to catastrophize but I do feel I'm presenting with a lot of the symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer. My breast is red (sometimes purple after a day of feeding), I don't have any other typical mastitis symptoms, antibiotics didn't work, no lumps, itchy breast and the infected breast is larger than my other one. Baby will feed normally from infected breast  

Really just wondering if anyone can offer any advice, GP will not return my calls so I cannot get a referral to get private screening. 

  • Hello Worried262022 and a warm welcome to Cancer Chat, 

    I am sorry to hear that your course of antibiotics didn't work and I hope that things will improve by the time you finish this new course. Try not to anticipate the worst though as there are so many things it could be other than inflammatory breast cancer especially as you are currently breastfeeding which will make you prone to mastitis or other breast issues. But it's good you went to see the GP about it and if you see that these antibiotics are not working either, you are right to give your doctor a call again or you could ask to talk to another GP if you'd like to get a second opinion on this. You can find out more about getting a second opinion on this page

    I hope you find the right treatment that works for you and that your breast gets back to normal soon.

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

     

  • Hi,
     

    sorry to hear you're having these symptoms, I'm wondering if you've had any luck since as I'm experiencing the same?

    take care xx

  • Not much further unfortunately. GP told me that a referral has been placed but with no lump there isn't much concern, even with me explaining IBC doesn't present with lumps. I'm constantly hearing how rare it is and how I'm too young. It has to happen to someone despite the rareness and I don't feel they're getting that. Good luck with your doctors x 

  • Thank you. 2 courses have failed to work and 2 doctors have said to not worry as no lump. 

  • Oh no:( antibiotics didn't work for me either, still slightly red but better in the mornings. Been referred to the breast clinic hoping for the best. So stressful xx