You Don't Need a Lump to have Breast Cancer

There is more than one kind of breast cancer.
We have been taught and are reminded frequently by public service announcements and by the medical community that when a woman discovers a lump on her breast she should go to the doctor immediately.

If you don't have time to read the rest of this, please see this video of a news report on it (click on The Silent Killer).

Inflammatory Breast Cancer usually grows in nests or sheets, rather than as a confined, solid tumor and therefore can be diffuse throughout the breast with no palpable mass. The cancer cells clog the lymphatic system just below the skin. Lymph node involvement is assumed. Increased breast density compared to prior mammograms should be considered suspicious.

You Don't Have to Have a Lump to Have Breast Cancer.
Some women who have inflammatory breast cancer may remain undiagnosed for long periods, even while seeing their doctor to learn the cause of her symptoms. The symptoms are similar to mastitis, a breast infection and some doctors, not recognizing IBC, will prescribe antibiotics. If a response to antibiotics is not apparent after a week, a biopsy should be performed or a referral to a breast specialist is warranted.

Age 52:
Median age at time of diagnosis of IBC ... versus,
Age 62: Median age at time of diagnosis of Breast Cancer.

A surprising portion of young women with IBC had their first symptoms during pregnancy or lactation. The misconception that these young women are at lower risk for breast cancer and the fact that IBC is the most aggressive form of breast cancer may result in metastases when the diagnosis is made.

One or more of the following are
Typical Symptoms of IBC:

• 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
  

View pictures showing common presentation of some of these symptoms.

Read what patients write about their own symptoms prior to diagnosis.

View a 4:23 minute video about IBC shown on NBC5 in Chicago.

Thank you to my sister for passing this info on to me from IBCRESEARCH.ORG.