Words from WhyMommy about IBC

These words come strait from WhyMommy's fingers to my blog. She asked to spread the word(s) about IBC so here it is. I hope that it is information that you log into your memory bank, it may save someones life or yours someday. Whymommy will be at the top of my list of "Walking in HONOR or next year in Denver, SF and LA Beaches.

Inflammatory breast cancer

Monday July 23rd 2007, 3:11 pm
Filed under: About Us / Favorites, breast cancer

We hear a lot about breast cancer these days. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes, and there are millions living with it in the U.S. today alone. But did you know that there is more than one type of breast cancer?

I didn’t. I thought that breast cancer was all the same. I figured that if I did my monthly breast self-exams, and found no lump, I’d be fine.

Oops. It turns out that you don’t have to have a lump to have breast cancer. Six weeks ago, I went to my OB/GYN because my breast felt funny. It was red, hot, inflamed, and the skin looked…funny. But there was no lump, so I wasn’t worried. I should have been. After a round of antibiotics didn’t clear up the inflammation, my doctor sent me to a breast specialist and did a skin punch biopsy. That test showed that I have inflammatory breast cancer, a very aggressive cancer that can be deadly.

Inflammatory breast cancer is often misdiagnosed as mastitis because many doctors have never seen it before and consider it rare. “Rare” or not, there are over 100,000 women in the U.S. with this cancer right now; only half will survive five years. Please call your OB/GYN if you experience several of the following symptoms in your breast, or any unusual changes: redness, rapid increase in size of one breast, persistent itching of breast or nipple, thickening of breast tissue, stabbing pain, soreness, swelling under the arm, dimpling or ridging (for example, when you take your bra off, the bra marks stay – for a while), flattening or retracting of the nipple, or a texture that looks or feels like an orange (called peau d’orange). Ask if your GYN is familiar with inflammatory breast cancer, and tell her that you’re concerned and want to come in to rule it out.

There is more than one kind of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is the most aggressive form of breast cancer out there, and early detection is critical. It’s not usually detected by mammogram. It does not usually present with a lump. It may be overlooked with all of the changes that our breasts undergo during the years when we’re pregnant and/or nursing our little ones. It’s important not to miss this one.

Inflammatory breast cancer is detected by women and their doctors who notice a change in one of their breasts. If you notice a change, call your doctor today. Tell her about it. Tell her that you have a friend with this disease, and it’s trying to kill her. Now you know what I wish I had known before six weeks ago.

You don’t have to have a lump to have breast cancer.

Thank you for your words and your strength. I hope all of you keep this family and this mommy in your thoughts and prayers.

Why I WALK and WhyMommy!

If you happen to be new to my blog, or to my life and don't know why I walk for Breast Cancer here's a taste.


This fall will be 4 years since my MIL was diagnosed with an aggressive form of BC. Luckily it was found early and with surgery, chemo and radiation she is now doing GREAT! This prompted my (then) SIL and I to find a charity walk to show our support. My husband shaved his head. He looks great bald. I didn't think I would be as flattering bald so I walked. We raised $4000 that year. We walked 26 miles each in the Summer of 2004 through San Francisco, up and down the hills and across the Golden Gate bridge. I made friends at the walk, on the message board. Most of all I found friends who had been diagnosed or someone they loved had been diagnosed, I found a passion for doing something wonderful by not just raising $$$$ but also awareness. Since then I have also walked in 2006 with my mom and BF and also this last year AWBC SF 2007 with my BF and held a local BC walk at Starbucks near my home. I have logged about 100 miles so far in charity walks and have three Big 40 mile walks planned for next yearin Denver! In SF! and in LA! That is about 120 miles next year, but it's about the mission not the MILES.That's $5,400 worth of local walks, bunco games, yard sales and good old begging and pleading. For me, Finding a cure for cancer is even more personal.

I had stage II Malignant Melanoma when I was 14. Thankfully I didn't have to go through chemo or radiation just 2 surgeries at the site on my back. But I did feel alone and not comfortable talking about "IT". When people did find out, they were usually really surprised, including a certain dermatologist who told me that I was too young to have Melanoma. Jackass. But the thought of doing something about it seemed out of reach to a global or even local level. So I made sure my friends wore sunscreen to a point of nagging I must say.

I also have been team captain and walked in our local American Cancer Societies Relay for LIFE. Then cancer struck home again. My uncle James was diagnosed with Leukemia and for almost two years fought for his life along side of my Aunt who stood by him through all the pain. I couldn't image the feelings and physical pain that inflicted from day of diagnosis to today almost a year anniversary of the day we lost him.

There is a mommy out there who found out a short time ago that she has Inflammatory Breast Cancer (AKA Beast Cancer). We call her WhyMommy (or rather she calls herself WhyMommy). She could not wait to hear and to answer the "WhyMommy" questions that come with parenthood. She has two small children at home. I wanted her to know that IBC has taken on a life of its own in her body but has also prompted so many blogging friends to spread the word about it. Awareness is key. We are doing our part. We are spreading the word to our friends, to everyone we know. You are a victim, and a hero. You are right, Cancer touches anyone, everyone is susceptible and lets stop hiding from it. I hope that each of us reaches out and tells somone else about IBC. It may save the life of someone you love. That is the goal.