You Don't Have to Have a Lump to Have Breast Cancer6 October 2005
The national volunteers of the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation (IBCRF) are making a consolidated effort to bring increased awareness about IBC to the general public and the medical community during the month of October, the nationally designated month for breast cancer awareness. As the number of women diagnosed with this aggressive and deadly breast cancer increases each year, members of IBC RF would like to share with you the fact that YOU DON’T HAVE TO HAVE A LUMP TO HAVE BREAST CANCER.
The July 2005 Journal of the National Cancer Institute stated:
“They found that the number of cases of IBC appears to be rising; the incidence rate increased between 1988 and 1999 from 2.0 cases per 100,000 women to 2.5 per 100,000. (By comparison, the incidence of more common forms of breast cancer decreased from 108 cases per 100,000 women to 101 per 100,000 during the same time period.) Black women had a higher incidence rate of IBC—3.1 cases per 100,000 women—compared with white women (2.2 cases per 100,000 women). The authors cite heightened clinical awareness, and changing patterns of risk factor exposure as possible explanations for the rise in reported cases.”
Signs, symptoms and treatment for IBC are different from other breast cancer types, and many practitioners treat these symptoms with antibiotics, which then delays critical treatment, thus lessening the chance of a better outcome for the patient.
Symptoms of INFLAMMATORY BREAST CANCER
One or more of the following are Typical Symptoms of IBC prior to diagnosis:
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YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A LUMP TO HAVE BREAST CANCER
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BUT IF YOU SUDDENLY DEVELOP ONE, HAVE IT CHECKED IMMEDIATELY (we have one reported case of a lady developing a 9x8x5cm lump in only three weeks)
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Swelling, usually sudden
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Itching
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Pink, red, or dark colored spot, sometimes with a texture similar to the skin of an orange, called peau d'orange; also called erythema. Check the underside of your breasts using a mirror, if necessary.
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What appears to be a bruise that does not go away
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The sudden finding of a lump; one of the contradictions of inflammatory breast cancer is sometimes there is a lump, but usually there is not.
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Nipple retraction
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Nipple discharge
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Breast is warm to the touch
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Breast pain
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Use caution when interpreting mammograms or ultrasound! Inflammatory breast cancer usually grows in nests or sheets, rather than as a confined, solid tumor. Increased breast density compared to prior mammograms should be considered suspicious. Remember: You don't have to have a lump to have breast cancer.
Please call 1-877-stop-ibc (1-877-786-7422) toll free in the United States and Canada to leave a message to speak with one of our volunteers, or contact us by e-mail at: e-mail protected from spam bots. Website: http://www.ibcresearch.org
Contact: Patti Bradfield, 425-556-0434, e-mail protected from spam bots
Public Relations Specialist
Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Source: PrWeb
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