Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) is a rare, aggressive and highly fatal form of breast cancer. In the UK, it makes up 2% of all breast cancers. It is often missed on scans and typically impacts younger people more than those that get regular screening (mammograms). IBC is diagnosed at Stage 3 which is already in Lymph nodes, or Stage 4 which has spread to other parts of the body. Signs of IBC include swelling, redness, heaviness, warmth, pain or lumps under the arms. Inflammatory breast cancer can develop quickly and may spread to other parts of the body. So, in general, the outlook with this type is not as good as for women diagnosed with other types of breast cancer. Treatment involves chemotherapy, mastectomy and radiotherapy. All treatment has been based on trails with 'normal' none IBC patients. 

The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network UK is the only UK charity that raises money for research into IBC. Unfortunately, this rare cancer is not recognised, nor supported by well-known, larger cancer charities. The research team at The University of Birmingham are learning about the unique environment that makes IBC one of the most aggressive and deadliest breast cancer.