In this episode of Hello Austin County, host Greg Stuessel welcomes Terry Arnold, founder of the IBC Network Foundation, to shed light on an aggressive and underdiagnosed form of breast cancer: inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Terry shares her personal journey as a 17-year IBC survivor and offers critical insights into the symptoms, challenges in diagnosis, and the urgent need for research funding.

Terry discusses the unique characteristics of IBC, which typically presents without a lump and often mimics common conditions like mastitis. Symptoms such as redness, swelling, intense itching, or sudden breast changes are often dismissed, delaying life-saving diagnoses. Terry highlights the importance of self-advocacy and educating medical professionals about this disease, which is often stage three by the time it’s detected.

The episode also explores Terry’s grassroots efforts in founding the IBC Network Foundation to fund research and educate both the public and medical community about IBC. Despite being labeled “rare,” IBC accounts for a disproportionately high percentage of breast cancer deaths. The foundation has made significant strides, including funding research, creating educational materials, and fostering international partnerships.

Listeners are encouraged to learn more about IBC through the IBC Network Foundation and to share the episode, as increased awareness can save lives. Terry’s message of “Hope Always” reminds viewers that early detection, education, and research are key to fighting this aggressive disease.

 

 

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