Purple nipple on one side — should I be worried?

Hi all,

I’m a 39-year-old woman, 5 years past breastfeeding, and I’ve been noticing some persistent changes in my right breast. Symptoms include:

•Purple/dusky nipple

•Redness and mild swelling in the lower breast and areola

•A pulling/tugging sensation behind the nipple

•Occasional burning in the lower outer quadrant

•One side of the areola looks faded or flattened

•Breast feels full or engorged (like when milk comes in), but I haven’t breastfed in years

I’ve tried going braless, thinking it could be pressure-related — but the symptoms persist. No discharge, no fever, no obvious lump, but the changes are very one-sided and haven’t gone away.

I’m concerned about the possibility of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), but I worry my doctor may dismiss it since it’s rare and doesn’t present like a classic lump. Has anyone had a similar experience or advice on what to ask for?