Applying a patch to treat a breast tumor caused blistering of the skin, and a subsequent examination revealed cancer.

A female patient presented to the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Oncology at Bach Mai Hospital with blistering on the skin of her left breast. Test results confirmed that the patient had cancer.

Self-treating cancer with adhesive patches.

Recently, the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Oncology at Bach Mai Hospital received a 44-year-old female patient who came for examination due to a lump in her left breast. Prior to the examination, the patient had felt a lump in her breast and had been monitoring it regularly, as her mother had a family history of breast cancer.

Recently, the patient experienced increased swelling and pain from the tumor, so she applied a medicated patch to the affected area. After one day, the skin where the patch was applied blistered, and the patient went for a check-up and was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The skin in the area with the malignant breast tumor is blistered.

PHOTO OF THE CENTER FOR NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND ONCOLOGY

According to the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Oncology, many women, upon feeling a lump or unusual hard area in their breast, often become worried and self-treat by applying patches, leaves, or using hot compresses in the hope of dissolving the lump or reducing pain.

However, this is a dangerous habit and can cause serious harm. Applying patches to lumpy areas, especially breast lumps, can cause inflammation, burns, and tissue ulcers.

Heating patches dilate blood vessels, strongly stimulating the skin and easily causing redness, burning, and oozing. The skin on the breast is very thin and sensitive, and skin damage can lead to the spread of infection.

Applying adhesive bandages can mask symptoms, delay diagnosis, and potentially worsen the tumor because it makes women think "the tumor is shrinking" or "the pain is lessening," leading to delayed hospitalization and missing the "golden time" for diagnosis and treatment. Breast tumors need to be checked early with ultrasound, mammography, and biopsy.

In some conditions (such as mastitis, abscesses, or breast cancer), heating can irritate the affected area, causing the tumor to swell, the inflammation to spread, and making ultrasound examination and assessment of the lesion more difficult.

Therefore, when a lump is felt in the breast, women should avoid excessive touching, massage, applying patches, or using herbal remedies, but instead go to a specialized breast or oncology clinic for examination and consultation.

In particular, if there is a history of breast cancer in the family, proactive screening is necessary for early detection.

At the Oncology Center, you can schedule an appointment via hotline, or register in person at Building H, Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Center, Bach Mai Hospital.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dan-cao-tri-u-vu-khien-da-phong-rop-di-kham-phat-hien-ung-thu-185251122172917064.htm