The first step in the diagnosis of breast cancer is to determine the stage. The disease will be classified into stages according to the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to nearby lymph nodes. Stage 2 breast cancer is usually two to five centimeters in size. This type of cancer has not spread to lymph nodes. Stage 3 breast cancer is a little larger and has spread to several lymph nodes. Stage 4 breast cancer has spread to distant organs, most commonly to the bones, liver, brain, or lungs.
Once diagnosed, treatment for breast cancer is based on the stage, age, and location of the tumor. Advanced stages of the disease often respond to aggressive treatments, including surgery. Surgery involves the removal of the tumor and surrounding tissue. One or more lymph nodes may be biopsied during the procedure, and sentinel lymph node biopsy is becoming increasingly common. Although the risk of recurrence is higher with hormone-blocking therapy, it may be the only treatment option for some women.
Self-breast cancer awareness is vital to decreasing your risk for the disease. Obtaining a mammogram every year can also help. If you’re younger, consider starting early, as it can be advantageous to avoid breast cancer altogether. Alcohol and smoking are also risk factors. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing the disease. However, post-menopausal hormones are hard to avoid. Therefore, you can minimize your risk by limiting your alcohol intake and maintaining a healthy weight.
Treatment for breast cancer is highly effective when detected early. It consists of chemotherapy, surgery, hormone therapy, and medication. These treatments can also help in preventing the cancer from spreading. However, treatment for breast cancer is not always the same for every woman. Some women may have cancer in both locations, and it may be important to determine whether chemotherapy is the right treatment for you. It will also depend on the stage of the disease and your general health.
Different types of breast cancer have different stage designations. Stage 0 is also called ductal carcinoma in situ. It indicates that the cancer has not spread to the surrounding tissue. The cancerous cells can be up to two centimeters in diameter. Stage 0 also does not involve the lymph nodes. It may, however, have small groups of cancer cells in the lymph nodes. In some cases, breast cancer in this stage is called asymptomatic.
While treatment for breast cancer has improved considerably over the last few decades, disparities still exist. For instance, women of color are less likely to receive treatment for breast cancer. These disparities are attributed to socioeconomic status, late-stage disease, genetic differences in tumor subtypes, and access to health care. Socioeconomic and cultural factors are also involved. The status of minority groups can make it difficult to receive health insurance, which is often tied to employment in the U.S.
