Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is rare and the most aggressive form of breast cancer. It is called inflammatory breast cancer because its main symptoms are swelling and redness of the breast. Unlike other forms
of breast cancer, IBC often lacks a distinct lump or tumor. Instead, cells grow in sheets that spread through the breast.

IBC accounts for about one to five percent of all breast cancer cases in the United States, but it is slightly more common in African American women. As many as ten percent of new breast cancer cases in African American women are IBC, compared to six percent of breast cancer cases in
Caucasians and five percent of other races.

Jasmine Jeffries is one of those rare cases. This is her story.

What was your journey to diagnosis? Initial symptoms?

It all started with my children playing around, jumping on me one day. I instantly felt pain and thought to myself, “That was weird.”

Over the next couple of days, the pain was still there.

I looked at my breasts and noticed my left breast was larger than my right. For me, that wasn’t normal. I said I would give myself one week and if things hadn’t changed, I would go to the doctor.

During that week, I decided to do self-breast exams, and it wasn’t until I laid down on the bed, I actually felt lumps in my breast — IBC doesn’t always have lumps.

After that, I immediately called my primary care doctor to make an appointment. She didn’t think it was breast cancer, but agreed something wasn’t right and immediately ordered me a mammogram and ultrasound. I went in on a Friday for a mammogram and ultrasound. They tried to get me in for a biopsy the same day, but couldn’t. So that following Monday, I had a biopsy and on Friday, Feb., 8, 2019, I received the call it was cancer.

Did you know anything about IBC before your diagnosis?

I had no clue about IBC before my diagnosis.

What was your treatment plan?

I was diagnosed at stage IV with metastases to my back vertebra. My treatment plan was dose dense chemo (four rounds of AC four rounds of Taxol), mastectomy of my left breast, 32 rounds of radiation, hysterectomy by choice, and I’m currently taking anastrozole daily, along with Zomeda infusions once every three months.

How did your diagnosis change your life?

Whew — this is a loaded question, but a good one.

I’m a mother of three beautiful children and initially, all I thought about was not being here for my kiddos. After having my “why me’s” and getting out of complete shock, I had to literally activate my faith.

My relationship with God has been strengthened in so many ways. I’ve learned how to fully rely and trust him. I had to uproot my children and move in with my brother and sister in-law because I took off work while undergoing treatment. It was such a huge blessing for them to take us in.

I’ve learned there are really genuine people in this world, and if you do good to others it will come back. The support I received was mind blowing throughout my journey and I had to be reminded often that it was a reflection of me.

I’ve learned to appreciate the small things and to live in the moment. My peace of mind is the most important thing and when you go through this journey, it’s more than physical but emotional as well. I had to keep my mind and spirit guarded on a daily basis and declare LIFE! 

What has been your biggest challenge thus far?

My biggest challenge through this journey is motherhood. During chemo, my parents took my two little ones to Chicago with them, and after school was out, my oldest went with them as well. Although it was a blessing, it was hard not having them around.

The first day they saw me on FaceTime with my bald head, one of them laughed saying I looked like my brother, one just smiled, and the other cried. I do my best to be open and honest with my 11 year old about my journey, and my two little ones, I share as much as I know they will understand.

There were so many things I couldn’t do with them, celebrations I missed etc. My village stepped in at all times, but as a mother it’s hard. The biggest challenge was making sure my faith was bigger then the facts. It took a while for me to get to that point, but once I got there it allowed me to live knowing that God has me.

What do you know now that you wish you knew before?

How prevalent breast cancer is in the African-American community without having a family history. 

What advice do you have for other young women?

Do your self-breast exams monthly, go to the doctor and advocate for yourself. You know your body better than anyone else and when something is off go, and see about it. It’s better to know that not! 

What do you want women to know about IBC?

IBC is real and it doesn’t always appear like a typical breast cancer diagnosis. Pain, swelling, discoloration, change in appearance are all a part of IBC. If any doctor tells you that breast cancer doesn’t hurt, that’s a lie.