Let's raise awareness AND money for Inflammatory breast cancer!
I have teamed up with the wonderful Inflammatory Breast Cancer network UK to raise some money and awareness of this rare but hugely important type of Breast cancer. I say rare, but it accounts for 10% of Breast cancer deaths in the UK and when I heard that statistic I wanted to get involved with the campaign and do what Lulu and Boo can to help! '
I will be donating 10% of the retail value of the large silver and gold molten halo necklace to the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network UK.
This will go directly to research and raising vital awareness. Women (and men) need to know what to look for, what to report to their doctors and we need to get this information out there. Please follow me on instagram and watch for my posts and share with your followers. Together let's make a difference!
Inflammatory Breast Cancer Day – 4th October 2024
Let’s shine a spotlight on Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)
- IBC is the orphan disease that accounts for 10% of breast cancer deaths in the UK each year*
- This form of breast cancer isn’t usually detectable on a mammogram and often doesn’t cause a breast lump
READ SUE'S STORY.
Hello, my name is Sue.
Mother, wife, former Head of Play Services at Great Ormond Street Hospital and living with Inflammatory Breast Cancer, which was detected at stage 3B and is now incurable.
As someone who has worked for over 30 years in a healthcare setting, it took me by complete surprise; I had never heard of this form of breast cancer and only two months before my diagnosis I had received a clear result from a routine mammogram.
“Please help me to make sure that IBC is not the breast cancer that nobody knows about until they or a loved one is diagnosed with it”.
Having spoken to consultants and Breast Care nurses, it seems evident that there is a need to shine a spotlight on Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Whilst it is relatively rare (accounting for 2% of breast cancers diagnosed but 10% of deaths associated with breast cancer in the UK each year*) it is important to be aware of the key signs and symptoms to look out for that could aid earlier detection.
The signs and symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer*
There can be a rapid onset of symptoms, including any or a combination of the following:
- Breast swelling, in which one breast is larger than the other
- Breast feels warm to the touch and may look infected
- Shooting pain and/or itching
- Dimpling of the breast that looks like orange peel (peau d’orange)
- Inverted, flattened or discoloured nipple
- Redness, discolouration and/or rash
- Thickening of the skin
- Swelling in the underarm or only on one side of the neck
- Lump may be present, although lumps are not common in IBC
- Signs and symptoms of IBC can be mistaken for mastitis or infection, so it’s important to see a GP as soon as any symptoms emerge.
Having spoken with a number of specialist medical professionals, one common message has arisen that could assist with earlier diagnosis of IBC:
To individuals: If you have been treated for mastitis for over two weeks, insist on an urgent referral to Breast Clinic for an ultrasound of your breasts.
To GP’s: Make an urgent and automatic referral to Breast Clinic if the patients symptoms aren’t improving after a two week course of treatment for mastitis.
For more information about the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network UK, visit www.ibcnetworkuk.org
*Stats and Symptoms list provided by our friends at The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network UK
