TNBC family,
One of my greatest frustrations in the last 16 years of being a Patient Advocate has been the failure of Breast Medical Oncologists to properly diagnose Inflammatory Breast Cancer,
(IBC), a very rare breast cancer (roughly 2% of all breast cancer). I have helped about 30 women with IBC over the years and they have been diagnosed with infections (one woman took various antibiotics for her 'rash' for 18 months), while others had many of the symptoms ignored.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/inflammatory-breast-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20355413For whatever reason, I have been told by IBC experts I respect, that 70% of women with
IBC also have TNBC. The converse is not true. 70% of women with TNBC do not have IBC.
But if you do have TNBC I would suggest you familiarize yourself with characteristics listed by Mayo Clinic above. And find an IBC expert who can give you a clinical diagnosis of IBC or rule it out. There are several IBC centers around the country and I can help you see someone if you wish. I cannot make a medical judgement, not will I give you medical advice but I do know several IBC experts.
Please send me a PM or write me at steve@sagepatientadvocates.org
IBC is a very difficult cancer to treat and normally, if you suspect you have it, the IBC centers will see you, on a priority basis, within one week.
with my love to all here,
Steve