A Bit About Inflammatory Breast Cancer; SNEAKY AND DEADLY

I have to mention IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer), a type of breast cancer that does not show up as a tumor does in typical breast cancer.  In fact, when my mother had a mammogram the radiologist sent us a report that her test was benign, showed no malignancy.  Not visually seeing the affected breast he had no clue that is was, in fact, malignant with a type of cancer that is a particle form and is not revealed by a mammogram or even an ultrasound. 

When we received the radiologist's conclusions in the mail that stated "no malignancy present" we were joyfully relieved and accounted the deformation of my mother's breast to a blocked milk gland.  We left go of our fears of cancer and accepted that blocked milk gland theory - for a while.  When giving Mom a shower I asked her if she had any pain in that deformed breast and every time I asked, she told me "No, no pain at all".  This made me curious because I know from experience (having babies and nursing them) that if the milk glands were indeed blocked there were be some pain, and the way her breast looked, I would have expected quite a bit of pain and tenderness.  The fact there was no pain prompted me to take her back to our g.p. for further examination.  We saw our g.p. about three months after we got the all clear from the radiologist. 

When he saw Mom's breast - deformed with a crusty discharge, he was shocked and saddened and obviously highly concerned that his office hadnt' followed up with this condition sooner.  He immediately sent us to see an oncologist for further evaluation.

The oncologist (cancer doctor) took one look at Mom's breast and told us to cancel all the tests (MRI, Ultrasounds, Mammograms, etc).  He said none of that would be necessary now, that she definitely had advanced stage breast cancer and that it was in her breast lymph too. 

My heart saddened, and knowing at her age (83) she wouldn't be able to tolerate any conventional means of treatment such as chemo and radiation or even surgery.  The cancer was so widespread (it had moved up into her pectoral muscles too) and was very pronounced.  The oncologist said it was too massive for surgery and the complications from surgery could cause her more harm than good.  He said at her age, healing would be so slow that infection could easily set in and take over and finally kill her before the cancer had a chance to. 

My heart hurt for Mom.  She was such a good mother to us kids all our lives.  She was always there for us and now it was her turn to be needy.  Being the only of my siblings who didn't have a regular job to report to everyday, and having some nurses' training, I was the elected child of Mom who would be taking care of her at her home so she wouldn't have to be put in a convalescent hospital.  (Mom also has Parkinson's Disease and due to potential falls, she needs someone to be with her 24/7.) 

The purpose of this post is mainly to make people aware of IBC, a sneaky, silent, and swift killer if not detected as soon as symptoms begin.  There is a case of a sixteen year old girl who, embarassed to tell her mother or doctor about the deformity in one of her breasts, let it go on until it was too late to save her young life.  She died of this cancer needlessly, had she only known thet symptoms and signs, maybe she would have gone to her doctor sooner.  She died about six months after she did finally go to her doctor and was diagnosed with IBC. 

After ruling out any other agressive treatments for Mom's cancer, the oncologist presribed Arimidex to fight off the cancer cells.  He said there was a fifty-fifty chance that it would work for her and if it did work, that she would have some painful side effects from it. 

After only two weeks of taking Arimidex, I could visually see that Mom's cancer had disappeared by about fifty percent.  Her appetite was far improved, as were her spirits and energy.  It was a miracle, for sure, as was the fact that Mom suffered none of the painful joint side effects from this medication.

It was explained to me how Mom most likely aquired this cancer.  A blood test shows that Mom's estrogen uptake is at 90 percent where most people's estrogen uptake is around five percent.  This type of cancer loves estrogen, it thrives on it  (sort of eats it to sustain it's life and growth).  the Arimidex inhibits estrogen uptake, essentially starving the cancer cells that depend on estrogen to survive and reproduce, so the cancer cells start to die off and new ones don't have a chance to develop or take over the good cells. 

My suggetions, after the experiences we had with this fast growing cancer are :

1. If you think something is wrong (deformed breast, discharge, etc) don't depend on a mammogram to give you a malignant free test result.  Pursue it with the doctor you see regularly, the one who actually sees you with his own eyes.
2. Don't put off going to the doctor about a concern you have about yourself, this type of cancer is very fast moving and once in the lymph system, is difficult to treat - although can be sucessful.
3. Get a second opinion.  Don't assume it's something simple and non-life threatening just because a doctor writes it off as such.  You know your body, listen to it and to your intuition.  

Mammograms are fairly good for detecting the most common, tumorous breast cancer but are not sufficient - not able to detect this type of breast cancer.  Use common sense.  If something looks funny to you, make sure to find out what it is.  Don't write it off to something simple.

IBC is treatable, at any age.  Even if it's only a pill to take everyday, it CAN do wonders (miracles) to get rid of the cells that are trying to kill you. 

MOST IMPORTANT:  Keep a positive attitude, think healthy, visualize or meditate on your good cells taking over and eating the bad cells (Like a pacman game, chomp chomp!)  Think good thoughts, avoid stress as much as possible, and take good care of yourself.  See your doctor regularly and don't give up.  Giving in to a diagnosis of cancer lets the bad cells win and end your life - not without some suffering first.  You don't have to die of IBC, it is treatable and you can win the fight if you don't give up. 

Two words to sum up the fight against cancer?  STAY POSITIVE!