Support for you

Icon of two human figures within a circle of hands, with text 'Providing support for patients and their families'

Our purpose is to educate the public and healthcare professionals about inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), support individuals and family members diagnosed with IBC, and to promote and fund IBC research in the United Kingdom.

We make it clear that we are not medical professionals. Please see our medical disclaimer below.

Medical disclaimer

Any medical information referred to in or through our site is given as information only and is not intended:

  • as medical diagnosis or treatment

  • to replace consultation with a qualified medical practitioner

  • to advocate or recommend the purchase of any product or to endorse or guarantee the credentials or appropriateness of any health care provider

We strongly suggest you consult a healthcare professional for specific advice about your situation.

How we support you

Our charity hosts private Facebook support groups for patients, family members and fundraisers.

For those people not on social media, we also provide direct e-mail support. Please Contact Us for more details.

  • Text about the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network UK support group, registered with Fundraising Regulator, with logo and description.

    MAIN SUPPORT GROUP

    Our support group for all patients diagnosed with IBC can be found here:
    Inflammatory Breast Cancer Support UK

  • Logo for the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network UK Family Group with text about being registered with Fundraising Regulator on a blue gradient background.

    FAMILY GROUP

    Our support group for family members can be found here:

    The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network UK Family Support Group

  • Pink and orange gradient circle with black and pink text about the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Network UK, including a logo for fundraising regulator and some smaller text.

    LIVING WITH GROUP

    We also run two additional support groups: Reconstruction after IBC Treatment and Living with IBC (for patients diagnosed with metastatic/secondary IBC). Both of these groups are set to private, and we add patients to them from our main patient support group as relevant. So join the main support group first.

Tips for Patients

We have helpful tips for each stage of care, please click on the pictures below to find advice for you.

Meet Ups

Our IBC support group aims to organise regular, in-person meetups. Past meetups have been held at various locations throughout the UK and in Ireland. 

Each year one of our meetups takes place at the University of Birmingham, where participants can take a tour of the tissue bank and attend a question & answer session with two IBC experts: our charity-funded researcher and a leading IBC breast oncologist. These educational sessions at the university are followed by a group dinner in central Birmingham.

As inflammatory breast cancer is so rare, without our meetups many of our attendees would not have an opportunity to meet others with the same diagnosis. Contact us if you would like to join us or if you would like to organise a meetup local to you.

See below some photos of our previous meet ups!

Meet Ups 2026

New for 2026, we’re hosting not just one, but several in-person meet-ups across the UK and Ireland this year!

These will be relaxed, informal get-togethers with coffee and a chat . A chance to meet others living with IBC in person, share your stories and hear theirs too. In a safe and confidential space, you’ll enjoy open, supportive conversations and connect with people who fully understand what you’re going through.

They are FREE to attend, drinks and refreshments will be provided.

Map of the United Kingdom with location pins on various cities.
  • Dublin

    Tuesday 24th March 2026

    11:00am-2:00pm

    Irish Cancer Society

  • Bristol

    Tuesday 12th May 2026

    1:00pm-5:30pm

    Penny Brohn, Ham Green House

  • Manchester

    Friday 5th June 2026

    ‍am (exact time TBC)

    Maggie’s Centre, Manchester

  • Cardiff

    Monday 6th July 2026

    10:30am-1:30pm

    Ray of Light, Whitchurch

  • Birmingham

    TBC September 2026

    10:00am-4:00pm

    University of Birmingham

  • Edinburgh

    Saturday 31st October 2026

    11:00am-2:00pm

    House of Hope, Edinburgh

  • London

    Date TBC

    Time TBC

    Location TBC

  • Leeds

    Date TBC

    Time TBC

    Location TBC