Paget's disease is a rare type of breast cancer.

See the warning here.

Yes.

Paget's disease of the breast is a relatively rare - about 1% of breast cancers - form of breast cancer. See the links cited below for more information on the disease.

Paget's disease of the breast can be confused with Paget's disease of the bone. Both are different diseases and are not related.

This is one of the very rare examples of a widely forwarded emails offering medical advice that is substantially true.

So, does that mean the Urban Legend Zeitgeist recommends sending it to everyone in you know? No, the Urban Legend Zeitgeist can't.

It's not a case of spreading misleading information - the email gives a good layman's description of the disease - so what's the harm in forwarding the email to raise awareness of Paget's disease? None, perhaps, but it does so by a medium, widely forwarded email, that is notorious for urban legends, hoaxes, misinformation and general quackery.

Some percentage of correspondents will disregard the email as being yet another questionable email. Furthermore, Paget's disease is rare and a widely forwarded email is not the best tool to reach those women (and men) that are most at risk.

Forwarded email is no substitute for regular, competent medical care.

• Paget's disease of the breast from the Mayo Clinic
• Paget's Disease of the Breast from BreastDoctor.com
• Paget's disease of the breast from CancerBACUP

Got a new legend?
Got a question?
Send it to ulz@tafkac.org