Breast Cancer at Its Worst

The Nov. 28 front-page article "Breast Cancer Risk Underestimated for Blacks, Study Says" contained important information to which I can add only one thing: The risk of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), the fastest, deadliest kind of breast cancer, is also much higher for black women than for white women.

This cancer spreads quickly and is difficult to detect with a mammogram because it forms without a lump. IBC is usually detected by women themselves during monthly self-exams or by doctors during clinical exams, so all women need to know to look for any changes in their breasts.

In particular, swelling, redness, itchiness and a change in texture can signal a breast infection or inflammatory breast cancer. Women who notice such a change in only one breast should contact their doctors immediately to rule it out.

SUSAN NIEBUR

Silver Spring

The author writes a blog about family life after a diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer athttp://toddlerplanet.wordpress.com.