P.O. Box 16
Milford, Michigan 48381
1-866-944-4223
Milford, Michigan 48381
1-866-944-4223
Common IBC Symptoms:
Things You need to know:
Mammograms usually don't pick up IBC because so often there is no lump.
Why - Reason #1
Doctors misdiagnose Inflammatory Breast
Cancer as a breast infection or mastitis.
Why - Reason #2
We need to push this message across the country.
Who..
Our group of dedicated advocates are, and a brief message about
each one of us.
Tips:
These are TIPS that doctors and patients have given
to people dealing with first symptoms of Inflammatory Breast
Cancer, plus TIPS from patients who have gone through chemotherapy.
The information contained on the 'eraseibc.com' web site is presented for the purpose of educating people on Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Nothing contained on this web site should be construed nor is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider. Should you have any health care related questions, please call or see your physician or other qualified health care provider promptly.
Education is the MOST powerful tool in the fight against misdiagnosis and improper treatment of Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
Our Foundation's mission is to educate the public and the medical community when needed, that this form of breast cancer is different and is rarely picked up by mammograms.
Towards this mission, the third
Wednesday of the month our
radio show, called
IBC FACT & FALLACIES,
will dispel the myths and help educate our listeners.
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"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass....It's about learning to dance in the rain"
Andy Rooney
IBC Proclamations bringing awareness throughout the United States, instigated by advocates in these states. More will be added as they are proclaimed.
States joining our cause, with a proclamation for IBC Education during the month of October. We need 10 or more for this to become Nationally recognized each October.
News Release
For Immediate Release:
Oct. 4, 2012
For More Information, Contact:
Barbara Steiner, nurse consultant
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
North Dakota Department of Health
Phone: 701.328.2389
E-mail: bsteiner@nd.gov
Inflammatory Breast Cancer Awareness Month Observed in North Dakota
To Raise Awareness About an Aggressive and Unusual Form of Breast Cancer
BISMARCK, N.D. Governor Jack Dalrymple has proclaimed October as Inflammatory Breast Cancer Awareness Month in North Dakota.
The American Cancer Society estimates that 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Among these, 1 percent to 5 percent will be diagnosed with a far more aggressive form inflammatory breast cancer (IBC).
Because the symptoms of IBC are so different from other forms of breast cancer, accurate diagnosis and timely treatment essential to survival often are delayed. IBC does not present with a lump but with a red rash that often is mistaken for mastitis or other skin conditions. IBC usually grows in 'nests' or 'sheets,' rather than a tumor that causes a lump. Some women also experience thickening of the skin, pain and itching. As the cancer grows, it can result in dimpling of the skin, a condition called 'peau d'orange.'
With the introduction of systemic chemotherapy, the five-year overall survival rate with a diagnosis of IBC has improved from 0 percent to 5 percent in the 1990s to a five-year survival rate of 40 percent and a 10-year survival rate of 35 percent today. With the advancements in targeted therapy, many women with IBC are now living longer with a better quality of life.
Unfortunately, there is no early detection method for inflammatory breast cancer, said Mary Ann Foss, director of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control for the North Dakota Department of Health. Because IBC usually cannot be detected by mammography, it's very important that women recognize the signs and symptoms of the disease.
Symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer include:
A breast that appears discolored (red, purple, pink or bruised).
A tender, firm and enlarged breast (sometimes overnight).
A warm feeling in the breast (or may feel hot/warm to the touch).
Persistent itching of the breast (not relieved with cream or salve).
Shooting or stabbing pain.
Ridged or dimpled skin texture, similar to an orange peel.
Thickened areas of breast tissue.
Enlarged lymph nodes under the arm, and/or above or below the collarbone.
Flattening or retraction of the nipple.
Swollen or crusted skin on the nipple.
Change in color of the skin around the nipple.
If one or more of these symptoms continue for more than a week, talk to health-care provider immediately, and find someone who has experience treating this particular type of breast cancer, Foss said. It's important that women become their own best advocate when it comes to ruling out inflammatory breast cancer.
More information about inflammatory breast cancer can be found by visiting www.eraseibc.com. For more information about Inflammatory Breast Cancer Awareness Month, contact Barbara Steiner, North Dakota Department of Health, at 701.328.2389.
Please note: Proclamation follows.
Thank you
Once again Janis Lund, IBC warrior has brought her state of North Dakota's proclamation to the forefront for IBC Awareness for 2012. Thank you Janis.
Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire once again signed the entire month of October to IBC Awareness for 2012 Thank you Governor Gregoire for leading the way for the rest of the States to follow your first lead years ago.
The New Mexico proclamation came about because Mother of Heather Allen (see picture below)Heidi Asman, talked with Senator Tim Jennings of New Mexico. Many will remember our past Foundation director and friend Patty Jennings who lost her battle to IBC, but husband Tim came through on this proclamation. Thank you Heidi for carrying your advocacy and thank you Tim Jennings for your help in making this happen.
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signs proclamation while IBC fighter and advocate Heather Allen (right of Governor) with friends and family witness this amazing day. Sister Holly is working towards advocacy for her sister Heather and initiated this signing. Way to go Holly and all your family.
Iowa proclamation
Heather Allen's cousin Becky Thumann shakes the hand of Nebraska Governor, Dave Heineman
Nebraska proclamation, carrying the torch forward for her cousin Heather Allen.
Sue Asci from the IBC New England Networking Group brought their Governor Deval L Patrick to join the other states in this first for Massachusetts.
Sunny Jacobs again initiated the proclamation signing of New York for IBC Awareness Week.
Terri Arnold worked to get this through the Texas Legislature.
Again Peggy Stephens worked to get the state
to declare a week in October to be Inflammatory Breast Cancer Awareness. We are
so proud of her good work.
The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Awareness Month Proclamation for the State of North Dakota
Pictured is Jan Lund 3 year IBC survivor, Governor John Hoeven and Arlo Thompson
14 year survivor showing the September 30, 2010 signing of the proclamation in
North Dakota for Inflammatory Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
Washington State was the first. Other States are following. In 2006 Governor Christine Gregoire, WA, signed the first week in October to IBC Awareness Week. You can take this proclamation to your own State Legislator's. Awareness is power.
Phil Willingham was the driving force behind the Washington State Proclamation, first in 2006 with the first week, then again in 2007 with the entire month devoted to IBC Awareness. Bravo Phil. Governor Gregoire again, in 2008 and in 2009 proclaimed the month of October.
Thank you Christine, you are helping pave the way for better education.
The latest Proclamation signed April 8, 2009 with added language from the University of Washington and the work of the Tumor Vaccine Group, Dr. Nora Disis director and Dr. Lupe Salizar.
What women don't know about cancer can kill them.
Especially when it comes to the most deadly form of breast cancer: Inflammatory Breast Cancer. In a series of reports, KOMO 4 brought international attention to IBC.
Now, the governor is helping spread the word.
"You were the inspiration, Phil! " Governor Chris Gregoire said Tuesday as she signs a proclamation declaring October "Inflammatory Breast Cancer Awareness Month" in our state.
The governor, a breast cancer survivor, is betting that most of us don't know there's more than one kind of breast cancer. She was happy to honor Phil Willingham's plea to warn others.
"My objective is to have every woman and doctor in America know about this disease," says Willingham. The Carnation man is starting with the state of Washington. He's been on a one-man crusade to warn as many women as will listen.
He said it's a warning his wife never got before she was diagnosed with IBC.
"Thank you KOMO and thank you Phil for your tremendous leadership," Gregoire said moments after signing the proclamation. "This is a form of breast cancer hard to detect and diagnosis. The only way to get ourselves to address this is if we get the message out."
Phil's wife, Marilyn was also misdiagnosed. "She smiled and took a breath and went to sleep," says Willingham.
He was with Marilyn when she died, just two weeks before Christmas.
We uncovered countless cases across the country of women who told KOMO 4 their doctors misdiagnosed IBC for a breast infection or a bug bite.
Typical IBC symptoms can include rapid increase in breast size, redness, skin hot to the touch and itchy, and thickened breast tissue. The National Cancer Institute says IBC accounts for one to five percent of all breast cancer in the U.S.
And IBC usually attacks without a detectable lump and a mammogram rarely finds it.
"It's something more than a proclamation, it's a cause," said Willingham, who always has a stash of brochures about IBC handy.
Tina Turck never heard of IBC until she got it. Last August she warned other women in a KOMO 4 Special report. She died almost one year to the day after that broadcast.
She was only 37 when she was diagnosed -- three years younger than the recommended age to start mammograms.
"If I heard of it prior, I probably would have been more suspect that something was wrong," said Tina Turck in an interview last year.
With IBC Awareness Month in Washington, now you know.
Cancer experts tell us the best way to detect Inflammatory Breast Cancer is with a biopsy.
