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BREAST CANCER
STAGES
Breast cancer develops in stages. Examinations and diagnostic tests
are performed in order to determine how widespread the cancer is.
Once the stage is determined, treatment options can be selected.
Discovering the cancer in its earliest stages increases the hope
for successful treatment. Breast cancer survival rates range from
97% (when a lump is found early) to 22% (when the cancer has already
spread out of the breast before treatment begins).
- Stage 0: Also referred to as carcinoma in situ. In breast
cancer, "in situ" means that the cancer remains confined to ducts
or lobules. It has not invaded surrounding fatty tissues in the
breast nor spread to other organs in the body. Nearly 100% of
women diagnosed at this early stage can be cured. The best way
to discover breast cancer in this stage is with a mammogram.
- Stage I: At this stage the tumor is no larger than approximately
one inch (1") in diameter and has not spread outside of the breast.
- Stage II: The tumor at this stage is larger than approximately
one inch (1") in diameter and may have spread to the lymph nodes
under the arm.
- Stage III: Stage III is divided into the following two
stages.
Stage IIIA - The tumor is smaller than 5cm
and has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm, and
the lymph nodes are attached to each other or to other structures
OR the tumor is larger than 5cm and has spread
to the lymph nodes under the arm.
Stage IIIB - The cancer has spread to tissues
near the breast such as the skin, chest wall, ribs, and/or
muscles in the chest OR the cancer has spread to lymph nodes inside
the chest wall along the breast bone.
- Stage IV: The cancer has spread (metastasized) to organs
such as the lungs, liver, brain, or into the bones. The cancer
may have also metastasized to lymph nodes away from the breast.
PREVENTION
Since there is no known cause for breast cancer, there is no certain
way to prevent it. Reducing controllable risk factors may help lower
the possibility of developing breast cancer. Early detection of
breast cancer greatly improves the chances of successful treatment.
Women with a family history of breast cancer should be especially
vigilant about regular examinations. Women over 40 should schedule
yearly breast examinations and mammograms. Women between the ages
of 20 and 39 should have a clinical breast examination by a health
professional every three years. All women should learn breast self-examination
(BSE) and regularly perform a BSE to detect any changes in the breast,
enabling them to contact a health care provider for an evaluation
if needed.
TREATMENT
Immediate examination should be performed by a physician upon discovering
any symptoms and/or suspicions of breast cancer (i.e., discovery
of lump in breast). If necessary, a biopsy for diagnosis will be
done.
Common treatments for breast cancer are as follow:
- Chemotherapy: Drugs are administered orally or intravenously
to kill cancer cells.
- Hormone Therapy: Hormonal therapy is used to prevent
the growth, spread or recurrence of breast cancer. Drugs that
alter the way hormone production are administered or organs that
create hormones are removed.
- Radiation Therapy: High dose x-rays are used to kill
cancer cells.
- Surgery: Removal of the effected tissue.
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