I have never heard of IBC until my best friends sister was diagnosed earlier this week. I have read bits and pieces on the internet and it sounds grim. She already seems to have given up. Where can i find info for her?

In addition to the information available at the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation (www.eraseibc.com), there is a great support group at www.ibcsupport.org. Sign-up is free and posting is easy: you just send an email to [email protected]. Check the signs and symptoms at www.eraseibc.com and sign up for the support group at www.ibcsupport.org. You'll be doing your friend a favor.

You might also find valuable information at: www.eraseibc.com through their monthly radio shows, interviewing doctors who specialize in IBC. There are podcasts both in radio only format and viewable podcasts. Here is the link to the latest shows, and the podcasts. http://www.thruoureyes.org/ibcshow.html

Also, check eraseibc.com They have great information too...

Hi Anon,

Thank you for your question-- I am sorry that your friend is going through this right now. IBC or Inflammatory Breast Cancer is a rare type of breast cancer that develops rapidly, making the affected breast red, swollen and tender.
Symptoms include:
Rapid change in the appearance of one breast, over the course of days or weeks
Thickness, heaviness or visible enlargement of one breast
Discoloration, giving the breast a red, purple, pink or bruised appearance
Unusual warmth of the affected breast
Dimpling or ridges on the skin of the affected breast, similar to an orange peel
Itching
Tenderness, pain or aching
Enlarged lymph nodes under the arm, above the collarbone or below the collarbone
Flattening or turning inward of the nipple
Inflammatory breast cancer doesn't commonly form a lump, as occurs with other forms of breast cancer.

Treatment for inflammatory breast cancer often begins with chemotherapy, followed by surgery and radiation therapy. After these treatments, additional treatments may be used to reduce the risk that inflammatory breast cancer will return.

Here are some sources of information on IBC, I think you will find them helpful:
https://www.empowher.com/inflammatory-breast-cancer/content/inflammatory-breast-cancer-what-it

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/inflammatory-breast-cancer/DS00632

http://www.ibcresearch.org/

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/IBC

Best wishes to you and your friend,

Rosa