Below is a link to a news video clip.
*WARNING - Graphic photos*

Silent Killer - Inflammatory Breast Cancer

More info: IBCResearch.org

Symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer, IBC

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

YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A LUMP TO HAVE BREAST CANCER*

Rapid, unusual increase in breast size

Redness, rash, blotchiness on breast

Persistent itching of breast or nipple

Lump or thickening of breast tissue

Stabbing pain and/or soreness of breast

Feverish breast

Swelling of lymph nodes under the arm or above the collarbone

Dimpling or ridging of the breast

Flattening or retracting of nipple

By Kim on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 08:03 am:

Thanks Trina!!!

By Latonya on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 08:12 am:

Thanks for posting that! That really is scary but I am glad to know about it!!

By Sandysmom on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 - 08:59 am:

Very scary. Thank you for sharing. You're right, every woman needs to know this.

By Tink on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 11:38 am:

Thank you. It will probably end up being nothing but my mom has three of these symptoms and I've emailed this to her to try and get her to see her doctor about her symptoms.

By Wandilu on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 12:10 am:

Wow !! I've had trouble with severe itching in my left breast for years.But I've mentioned it a few times and they didn't say anything.But all my mammograms have come back negative.

By Cocoabutter on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 01:20 am:

I really appreciate that you are spreading the word. However, I am skeptical. Rashes and itching could be from no more than dryness or other skin irritation, and soreness could simply signify normal hormonal symptoms.

I couldn't get the link above to play the video, so I went to the website ww3.komotv.com to see if I could find it myself. I found another article that leads me to further doubt the validity of this resource.

Condoms Protect Against Cervical Cancer

While this article does point out that condoms are NOT 100% effective, its claim that condoms are especially effective in preventing HPV (the virus which is linked to cervical cancer) is blatantly false. The opposite is actually true. My aunt is a doctor and she has told me that the HPV virus is the ONLY virus that is in fact small enough to pass through a condom.

http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm#Howget

HPV infection can occur in both male and female genital areas that are covered or protected by a latex condom, as well as in areas that are not covered.

But again, I do appreciate your intent.

By Babysitbarb on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 02:01 pm:

I just got this e-mail from a friend today. Our local Realy for Life starts tonight at 6:00 pm and this will definately be on my mind.

By Marg on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 02:19 pm:

I also should post a note.

My mom found a lump that was up and under the breast, almost felt like a bone or rib. The lump went back and in. So just keep checking yourself ladies and if you're not sure go to the doctor.

By Hol on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 12:51 pm:

Thank you so much for posting that. I had no idea. I figured that lumps were the only thing that we needed to fear. I wonder if that was the type of BC that took my MIL. She was a very private person and never told anyone until her symptoms were well advanced. She did say that her nipple had inverted very badly. She had a mastectomy in 1980, and was symptom free for ten years. In 1990, it came back with a vengeance. Her left arm swelled to as big as her waist. She developed these terrible, weepy sores (sorry) in her armpit, and at the incision site. They smelled horrible. She died slowly and painfully in 1994. She was never one to get mamo's, but I guess a mamo doesn't detect this type of BC, anyway.

By Kym on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 03:11 pm:

Cocoabutter, I checked this story out on snopes after a OBGYN's wife said she'd never heard of the Cancer, but heard the story was fake, Snopes as of 06-21-06 it was listed as true.

By Kate on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 04:08 pm:

What are you doubting, Cocoabutter? IBC is a real disease and when finally diagnosed it's at stage III or IV already. The symptoms Trina posted are completely accurate. And yes, itching could be due to dryness and skin irritation, but they are still symptoms of IBC, too. Question is, IS it due to simple irritation/dryness, or something more sinister? A friend's mother is battling this right now. It began as a hot, irritated rash on her breast and she was told it was an infection (which is accurate) and when she was treated for it with antibiotics and it didn't go away, they did further testing and discovered it was IBC. Unfortunately, the prognosis for IBC is not good.