We’ve learned about self exams and mammograms and what to look for… But what if there is no lump?

Another type of breast cancer has been in the news lately, inflammatory breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is rare, as it accounts for only 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancer cases in the United States,  usually affects younger women, and has been diagnosed more frequently on African Americans. This type of breast cancer and can spread in the body very quickly, which makes early diagnoses so important.

According to the National Cancer Institute; “Symptoms of IBC may include redness, swelling and warmth in the breast, often without a distinct lump in the breast. The redness and warmth are caused by cancer cells blocking the lymph vessels in the skin. The skin of the breast may also appear pink, reddish purple or bruised. The skin may also have ridges or appear pitted, like the skin of an orange, caused by a buildup of fluid and edema (swelling) in the breast. Other symptoms include heaviness, burning, aching, increase in breast size, tenderness or a nipple that is inverted (facing inward). These symptoms usually develop quickly—over a period of weeks or months. Swollen lymph nodes may also be present under the arm, above the collarbone or in both places. However, it is important to note that these symptoms may also be signs of other conditions such as infection, injury or other types of cancer.”

Knowing the symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer is important, because this disease is often misdiagnosed as a breast infection like mastitis and can be treated for several months as such. That’s several months of lost time. If you think you have a breast infection, and ONE round of antibiotics does not clear it up within just a few weeks, ask your doctors for a referral to get additional tests.

Be your own best advocate; it may save your life.