SEATTLE -- The world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer activists and the world's largest airline have partnered together to take on the world's deadliest form of breast cancer: Inflammatory Breast Cancer.

"We want to make breast cancer is history! We want to end it forever," said Cherie Skager, spokesperson for the Susan G. Komen's Seattle affiliate.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure and American Airlines realized IBC has been ignored for too long.

"There really have not been any significant changes of diagnosis or survival rate for patients in over 30 years," said Andrea Huguely, American Airlines Spokesperson, "That's why we chose IBC over other types of breast cancer."

IBC tends to spread before patients realize they have it, by the time they're diagnosed the cancer is Stage 3b or Stage 4.

The survival rate is only 30 to 50%, compared to traditional breast cancer that if caught early has a 98% survival rate.

The tide began to turn 2 years ago with our Problem Solver report on IBC - it spread like wildfire across the internet. Our report was downloaded 20 million times - a record for the KOMO site.

"The advocates that have come forward since your report in 2006...hearing their voices brought this issue to the forefront," said Komen's Skager.

Up to 5% of all breast cancer is IBC and in African American patients it's even higher, 10%.

"African American women do suffer disproportionately from breast cancer," said Skager. Komen has created a 'Circle of Promise' an effort to reach and educate the African American community about breast cancer, offer free screenings and support.

On Monday, American Airlines unveiled 2 of 8 planes featuring a pink ribbon that runs the length of the fuselage. Employees volunteered to add the pink decals to an American Airlines Boeing 757 and an American Eagle Embraer 145.

"One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives...it's no
coincidence that we chose to put ribbons on 8 of our aircraft," said Huguely.

American also pledged a whopping $7.5 million for IBC research. Doctors hope to discover earlier diagnosis and better treatment. Komen will award the money to the MD Anderson IBC Clinic in Houston, where IBC survivor Jenee Bobbora is a patient.

"This grant is the most important event to occur in the history of this disease," said Bobbora speaking at the dedication ceremony in Texas.

When Jenee was diagnosed at 32 years old, she'd never heard of IBC. Her said her breast swelled up overnight - it was red and painful, classic IBC symptoms. Her doctor told her it couldn't be cancer, because she had no lump.

IBC rarely has a lump and mammograms rarely detect it.

"It's something we can't ignore," said Skager.

American Airlines will raise money through various fundraisers and give travelers air miles in exchange for donations.

For More Information:

www.aa.com

www.aa.com/content

Susan Komen Foundation

For those in Washington without insurance or who are underinsured the state may be able to help with screenings. Check out: www.doh.wa.gov

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