Inflammatory Breast Cancer

I lost my mother to breast cancer. When she finally was diagnosed as having cancer, it was in Stage 4 and had spread throughout her body and bones. Who knows what might have happened had she went to the doctor earlier. Maybe, just maybe, she might still be here today.

There is an uncommon type of breast cancer that women should know about. My mom did not have this kind. But women who have the symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) do not recognize them or see the danger of what is brewing within their bodies. They may ignore it, thinking it will go away on its own, as my mother did.

Doctors have told patients that they didn't have IBC when they really did, mistaking the signs as spider bites, not finding a lump, blaming the problem on an underwire bra, shingles, or allergy to detergents.

Here are a few of the facts about IBC:

* This disease occurs when cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast, causing the breast to become red, swollen, and warm. These changes often occur quickly over a period of weeks. Another possible sign of this type of breast cancer is swollen lymph nodes under the arm, above the collarbone, or in both places. Often, a tumor CANNOT be felt, and may not be seen on a mammogram. The diagnosis of IBC is based on the results of the biopsy and the doctor’s clinical judgment.

* Typical symptoms:
Swelling, usually sudden, sometimes a cup size in a few days
Itching
Pink, red, or dark colored area (called erythema) sometimes with texture similar to the skin of an orange (called peau d'orange)
Ridges and thickened areas of the skin
What appears to be a bruise that does not go away
Nipple retraction
Nipple discharge, may or may not be bloody
Breast is warm to the touch
Breast pain (from a constant ache to stabbing pains)
Change in color and texture of the aureole


* Inflammatory breast cancer usually grows rapidly and often spreads to other parts of the body.

* Inflammatory breast cancer requires immediate aggressive treatment with chemotherapy prior to surgery and is treated differently than more common types of breast cancer.

* African Americans have a higher incidence of IBC than do Caucasians and other ethnic groups (10.1%, 6.2%, and 5.1%, respectively).

Click here to watch the KOMO TV 4 video.
Click here to read more: Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Please take care of yourself.

Exercise.

Eat well.

Drink water.

Know your body and listen to it.

If you notice something isn't quite right, don't be afraid to get it checked out!
You could be saving your life!

Finally, tell others what you know... you could be saving their life!