Research points to need for earlier diagnosis and better access to specialized care
Women living in rural communities and those experiencing poverty face a disproportionately high burden of one of the deadliest forms of breast cancer.
A new study by a team of researchers at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and UNC-Chapel Hill’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center found that women living in rural, economically disadvantaged communities in North Carolina face a higher burden of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), a rare but highly aggressive form of the disease.
Published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, the study, “Molecular and socioeconomic characteristics of inflammatory breast cancer in the Carolina Breast Cancer Study,” highlights the need for earlier diagnosis, greater awareness and better access to specialized care.
IBC accounts for 1%-5% of all cases, and unlike most breast cancers, it usually doesn’t begin with a lump, which makes it harder to detect on a mammogram. Instead, women may notice redness, swelling, warmth or changes to the skin that can easily be mistaken for an infection. Those similarities can delay diagnosis, giving the cancer time to spread before treatment begins.
"Inflammatory breast cancer moves quickly, so every day matters," said Kevin Williams, Ph.D., NCCU professor of pharmaceutical sciences and the study’s co-senior author. "Our findings suggest that where someone lives and the resources available to them may be just as important to understanding this disease as its underlying biology."
The research combined molecular, clinical and socioeconomic data to better understand what sets IBC apart. While researchers found few molecular differences, they found that women in rural areas and who are below the poverty level face a higher burden of IBC, suggesting the potential to reduce IBC burden through better screening and primary care accessibility.
"Too many women, and even some healthcare providers, are unfamiliar with inflammatory breast cancer," Williams said. "Recognizing the symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention can make a critical difference."
Researchers also found that IBC disproportionately affects Black women, with 63% of IBC cases occurring in Black women in this study, higher than the expected proportion of 50%, although additional research is needed to better understand the biological and social factors driving those disparities.
The study also identified several molecular pathways for future investigation, including HER2- and p53-related genes, as researchers continue working to improve diagnosis and develop more targeted therapies.
"Every discovery brings us closer to improving outcomes for women affected by this disease," Williams said. "Our goal is to generate knowledge that leads to earlier detection, better treatment and, ultimately, more lives saved."
The study was supported by a grant from the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (funded by The University Cancer Research Fund of North Carolina and Susan G. Komen Foundation), National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Cancer Institute, National Cancer Institute Specialized Program of Research Excellence in Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the U.S. Department of Defense.