Coping with Inflammatory Breast Cancer: Women's Experiences

Abstract

The American Cancer Society estimates that 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Among these, 1–6% will be diagnosed with a far more aggressive and little studied form, inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Because its presenting symptoms are atypical, IBC is often mistaken for mastitis or other conditions, resulting in dangerous delay in accurate diagnosis and treatment. Little is written about coping with IBC. This qualitative study explores stressors and challenges women face in coping with diagnosis, treatment and living with IBC, in order to help providers understand and meet the unique needs of women with this disease.

KEYWORDS:

• inflammatory breast cancer
• coping
• advanced breast cancer
• women’s experience
• qualitative study

Acknowledgments

This work was funded in part by the Bridgewater State College Center for the Advancement of Research & Teaching (CART). Our deep appreciation goes to the amazing women interviewed for this study.