[Jade]

I had Paget's disease of the nipple and it was exactly as you describe, a brown 'crusty' spot, looked like a scab to me, but mine was right on the nipple. When I saw my doctor about it she said it was a fungal infection and prescribed some antibiotic ointment(!). Six months later I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and Paget's disease of the nipple. I believe Paget's disease is a separate kind of cancer, so in my case I had two kinds of breast cancer. Obviously, for Annette, the whole area has suffered a lot of trauma which could indeed be the cause, but if a little voice is talking to you, you should listen to it and do not hesitate to get a second opinion. Don't take chances - there's no downside to being diligent when it comes to this stuff.
Good luck to Annette, please let us know how it goes.
All the best,
Jade