What Is Breast Cancer - Symptoms and Stages?

Look up breast cancer and you will see that the explanation is normally ‘cancer of the breast tissue’. This, however, does not really describe exactly what is breast cancer. Cancer is caused when cells begin to divide uncontrollably, forming a tumor. Healthy cells begin to grow rapidly, becoming misshapen. If not detected, the tumor will continue to grow and spread.

This doesn’t mean that all lumps in the breast are cancerous. Most are actually benign. Once they reach a certain size, they discontinue growth. Often they are simply cysts, which are soft, fluid filled sacs. A firm mass might indicate fibroadenomas, which don’t grow or spread, making them benign. It is also possible that lumps may be caused by hardened fat or scar tissue.

However, if the lump found is cancer, then it is a serious matter. Ductal carcinoma (sometimes called DCIS, ductal carcinoma in situ) is the most common form, making up almost 90% of breast cancer cases. The remaining 10% are known as lobular carcinomas (LCIS). Both forms of cancer will normally present with thickening of tissue in an area of the breast or armpit, where the lymph nodes are located.

It is recommended by the American College of Physicians that self-examination begins at age 20 and after the age of 40, regular mammograms be carried out.

Breast Cancer Symptoms
Slight variations in the breasts throughout the month are nothing to be alarmed about, but you should look for differences in size or shape that affect only one breast. Be aware of any fluid leakage from the nipple that doesn’t appear to be milk. An infection in the breast, which can indicate cancer, will often produce a type of pus.

A change in size or shape of the nipple or areola (the darkened skin around the nipple) is also one of the breast cancer symptoms. It is something you need to be aware of.

Breast Cancer Stages
Classifications are given to the different breast cancer stages as it develops.

The forming of the initial tumor is classified as Breast Cancer Stage 0. A tumor that is less than 2cm thick and hasn’t spread is indicated by Stage I. Once a tumor is between 2-5cm thick, with possible spreading to other areas, the cancer is in Stage II. Stage III indicates that the cancer has infiltrated the chest wall. Treatment in this stage is difficult and has a low level of success.

The most serious classification is Breast Cancer Stage IV. This signifies that the cancer has metastasized, meaning that the cancer has spread and secondary tumors have formed. Cancers that reach this stage are normally fatal.

These stages help to illustrate the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, as cancers in Breast Cancer Stage 0 – Stage II have a high survivability rate. In these stages, the cancer may be cured by a simple lumpectomy. If diagnosis is not sought and it progresses beyond these stages, chemotherapy or radiation therapy will often be required, and this lowers the chances of recovery.

With advances in medicine and technology, early diagnosis is highly reliable, and treatments are much more advanced and successful than in previous years.

While any cancer is a distressful, patients that are diagnosed and treated by Breast Cancer Stage I have a five year survival rate of over 95%. Carefully check your breasts each month and seek further investigation and treatment if you notice any changes or detect any breast cancer symptoms. Breast cancer is not life threatening.

         

Introduction to Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Diagnosis - Breast Cancer Test
Breast Cancer Stages – Breast Cancer Survival Rates
Genetic Breast Cancer Risk Factors
Environmental and Lifestyle Breast Cancer Risk Factors
Breast Cancer Prevention – How to Prevent Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Self Exam - Diagnosing Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast Cancer Radiation Treatment
Breast Cancer Diet Tests and Research
Chemotherapy Breast Cancer Medication
Breast Cancer Surgery Treatment
Breast Cancer Statistics, Diagnosis and Treatments
Breast Cancer Reconstruction Surgery Treatments
Breast Cancer Mammogram Diagnosis