Are There Any Factors That Make You More at Risk For Inflammatory Breast Cancer?

In this episode of Cancer Questions with Dana-Farber, Felipa Lynce, MD, discusses factors linked to inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) and signs to watch for. IBC often appears without a lump, with symptoms like skin discoloration, changes in breast texture, or persistent pain.

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TRANSCRIPT:
Welcome to Cancer Questions with Dana-Farber. My name is Filipa Lynce. I am a breast medical oncologist and the director of the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Program at Dana-Farber. Today's question is: are there any factors that make you more at risk for inflammatory breast cancer?

High body weight seems to be a risk factor both in pre and post-menopausal women. In addition, studies from large databases suggest that Black Americans are more often diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer when compared to white Americans.

Given that the diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer mostly relies on skin changes of the breast, women need to be aware of these findings.

Inflammatory breast cancer can present without a lump. Look for pink, red or discolored breast skin, depending on your underlying skin tone. The discolored areas can be purple or even brownish. Other changes to look for is asymmetry of the breasts, new changes in the nipples or even changes of the texture in the skin, which we often call peau d'orange, or the skin of an orange. Pain, or one of the breasts feeling heavier, than the other is also common.

These are findings similar to being diagnosed with an infection of the breasts or mastitis. And for that you'd be prescribed with antibiotics. But if after receiving a course of antibiotics, your symptoms do not resolve, you should see your doctor again to get further testing that may include breast imaging or even a biopsy.