Spotlight on Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation

04/01/2009

The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation is a group of concerned citizens who came together with the hope of making a difference in the way Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) is perceived by both the general public and the medical community. IBCF members include patients, Physicians, the Media and those affected by IBC.

The ASBD first met Patti Bradfield through a social networking site and learned of her energies and the commitment of the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation to educating health professionals about this often misdiagnosed illness.

The Foundation's mission is "to change the perceived notion that all breast cancers have a lump." As Patti Bradfield asserts, "the medical community has not been educated to a degree where they can catch this deadly form of breast cancer earlier than stage IIIB. This is not acceptable."

The Foundation celebrated in late 2008 when the First International Conference on IBC that was held December 5-7 in Houston at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

The program chair, ASBD member Massimo Cristofanilli, MD, associate professor in M. D. Anderson's Department of Breast Medical Oncology and Director of the Morgan Welch Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Program and Clinic noted that "this is the first conference dedicated exclusively to exchanging knowledge and discussing the complexities of IBC. Our goal is to step up the pace of research and education — ultimately saving women's lives."

As Patti Bradfield recalls, "the most emotional moment was the narrative view of the MDA IBC clinic followed by the presentation of the "Beat it Award" to Patty Jennings, advocate and breast cancer patient. Her incredible work with her husband, Sen. Tim Jennings of New Mexico, has provided much needed seed money which has contributed to the success of the clinic." [Note: Patti Bradfield reported sadly that Patricia K. Jennings, lost her battle with invasive breast cancer on February 14, 2009. As Patti wrote us: "All of us have lost a courageous fighter and advocate for IBC, and for myself, a dear friend. She and Tim moved for and obtained a huge $4.5 million dollar grant for IBC research through the UNM. In her honor and memory each one of us must make the changes that Patty worked so tirelessly to obtain, which is education, not only for IBC, but for all those who go without medical care when the need is so great."]

"We are making great strides for women suffering from IBC," Cristofanilli says. "We are dedicated to disseminating research and information about the disease that will benefit women all over the world in terms of both diagnosis and treatment." We applaud the both Foundation's work and the M.D. Anderson clinic and look forward to updates on the scientific progress in diagnosing and treating IBC. For more information, visit the IBCF online.

The Foundation now hosts an internet radio program monthly. For information on the program, click HERE.