In the U.S., 287,850 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed this year, with another 51,400 diagnosed at the noninvasive stage. The five-year relative survival rate of women with breast cancer is 99%, making early detection and treatment essential. Sadly, however, 43,260 women will die from breast cancer in the U.S. this year.
The first step to determining whether or not your breast cancer has spread is to have a biopsy performed. A biopsy can detect early signs of cancer, such as immobility or a malignant mass. Other symptoms of breast cancer include a nipple abnormality or skin changes. Treatment options for breast cancer vary widely, and may include radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, or surgery. Advances in technology are also changing the way doctors treat breast cancer.
The next step is to determine whether the disease has spread to nearby lymph nodes. A stage 3c tumor may have spread to ten or more lymph nodes, but has not yet metastasized elsewhere in the body. Stage 4 cancer has spread to distant parts of the body. A physician will assess the cancer by its stage based on physical examinations, imaging, and biopsies. Patients who have breast cancer at stage 3c or higher are considered to have metastatic disease.
The next step in treating breast cancer involves selecting the most appropriate treatment. Patients will be given the treatment options that best match their lifestyle and medical needs. Breast cancer treatment should not involve invasive surgery. In addition to radiation therapy, breast cancer treatment options include external beam therapy. External beam therapy uses high-energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells while sparing the surrounding healthy tissues. If the treatment plan does not include chemotherapy, it may be referred to as adjuvant therapy.
The most common type of breast cancer is lobular or ductal carcinoma, which begins in the milk glands. This type of cancer has the greatest chance of spreading to the lymph nodes, and is more likely to spread to other parts of the body. Most people will get diagnosed with breast cancer through routine screening, although it is also possible to develop the condition when it starts in one part of the body. A doctor will use several tests to determine whether a woman has breast cancer and what stage it is at.
In addition to radiation therapy, chemotherapy may also be used for breast cancer treatment. This type of therapy is often given before or after surgery, and can kill cancer cells in the area. Depending on the type of cancer, the tumor size and shape, lymph node involvement, and the risk of spreading, this treatment may be the only option. In the end, a woman can choose the treatment that best suits her needs. So, make sure you do not wait until it’s too late to get treatment.
