What is breast cancer? → Breast cancer is a certain cancer that is formed in the breast cells,
believed to be a result of a mix of environmental factors and genetics. When the breast tissue
cells are growing uncontrollably and it forms lumps, this is not an uncommon cancer that
both men and women can develop. These cells can develop in the tissue surrounding the ducts, which carry milk to the nipple, and the lobules, which produce the milk.
This is a very serious disease that can affect many worldwide, which can develop in areas other
than the breast if left untreated. It has been estimated that one in eight women will have
developed breast cancer in their lifetime.
What are the stages of breast cancer? → There are five stages of breast cancer which include
zero through four which are written’ 0, I, II, III, IV.
- Stage 0, also called non-invasive cancer, is only seen in the lobules and ducts of the
breast, not commonly spreading to the tissue surroundings.
- Stage I is invasive as the cells are in the normal breast tissue; there are two types of
Stage I breast cancer; IA does not spread to the lymph nodes but the tumor is up to two
centimeters while IB is less than two centimeters in the lymph nodes of the breast but
not in the breast tissue.
- Stage II also has two types, described as invasive; IIA has cancer cells spread to 1-3
lymph nodes, showing a two to five centimeter tumor within the breast with a possibility
of spreading to the axillary lymph node. IIB has a tumor of two to five centimeters,
spreading to 1-3 of the axillary lymph nodes unless the tumor is larger than five
centimeters where it would not spread to the axillary nodes.
- Stage III has three types, also described as invasive; IIIA spreads to more than four of
the lymph nodes in the breast or the axilla, though not having spread to other body parts.
IIIB can be spread to the chest wall, being an inflammatory breast cancer which could
cause swelling in the breast or go up to nine lymph nodes. IIIC can spread to the breast
skin or the chest wall up to ten or more axillary lymph nodes, above or below the
breastbone.
- Lastly, Stage IV, also known as metastatic, can spread to other tissues and organs, at any
size, such as the chest wall, brain, liver, lung, bones, or the distant lymph node.
What are the risks? →
Age: increasing as a person grows older.
Gender: though men are palpable to this disease, women are more likely to develop breast cancer.
Family and personal history: those who have close relatives who have been diagnosed or who have the cancer in one breast can likely get it in the other.
Hormonal and health factors: those with excessive exposure to estrogen and those who lack physical activity, have an increased alcohol consumption level or obesity are at higher risk of breast cancer.
Is there only one type of breast cancer? → No, there are various types of breast cancer with
various types of treatments. Most of the common breast cancer types are the invasive lobular
carcinoma, the ductal carcinoma in situ, the invasive ductal carcinoma, and the triple-negative
breast cancer.
What types of symptoms should someone look out for? → The most common symptoms for breast cancer include: Changes in the breast appearance (size and shape included), thickening or lumps in the underarm or breast area, nipple inversion, discharge or rashes, skin changes (redness, dimpling, swelling), and breast pain or having breast tenderness. Though these are good to look out for, not all breast lumps are to be cancerous and many women who have breast cancer do not show any of the symptoms at all.
What type of treatments are there? →Common breast cancer treatments involve radiation
therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, a targeted therapy or a combination of some of these, all
depending on the stage and type of the cancer. Tamoxifen or Raloxifene are very beneficial
medications for those with higher risk of developing breast cancer.
Are there ways to find out early? → Screening for breast cancer would be great for an early
detection of the disease and treatment. These screening methods can include mammography,
self exams and clinical exams for the breast. The self exams would be to check for lumps or any
other symptoms in the breast, the clinical exams would be checked by healthcare workers, and
the mammography exam is a low-dose X Ray to detect any cancerous symptoms before
present.
It is best to look for early symptoms for the best outcome and women usually around 40 years of
age are recommended to take regular breast self exams and/or mammography. This is a very
serious disease which should soon be brought to awareness to help many who might or already
have been diagnosed. Spreading awareness about this disease can save lives with this
awareness and encouragement for early detection for breast cancer.
The best ways to spread awareness is to spread information about breast cancer and its
symptoms and risk factors, and to wear pink as it is associated with breast cancer awareness.
Other public ways could be to participate in awareness events like walks, runs, or fundraising
events to raise money for increased awareness and research! Another could be to advocate for
regulatory breast cancer screening for those 40+ just to be safe and healthy!!
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