Cancer Information

Diagnosing Breast Cancer

Breast cancer, the most commonly found cancer type in females originates from the breast tissue and later grows across resulting to a severe form of cancer. Breast cancer, if not detected and treated in time during the early stages can even result to death of the patient. Although symptoms of breast cancer are commonly found in women they also occur in men, but in the rarest conditions. Breast Cancer cannot be termed as a specific disease but they usually refer to several cancers which affect the breast. Research suggests that the cause of breast cancer is the abnormal growth of cells but is yet to be proved.
Look out for the breast cancer symptoms below, which are frequently observed in Breast Cancer patients.
• Swelling / Breast lump in the breast area. In approximate 10% of total women affected by breast cancer, breast lumps are the early stage symptoms of breast cancer.
• Transfiguration of breast shape and size.
• Inflammation and redness of the breast.
• Discharge of liquid and at-times even blood from nipples.
• Severe pain and changes in skin color and texture surrounding the breasts.

The spread of breast cancer is divided in 4 stages:
• Stage 0: This first breast cancer stage refers to non persistent breast cancers like the cancers originating from breast and those originating from lobules. There are no facts about the spread in this stage.
• Stage I: The spread measures to about 2 cm or less and doesn’t affect the lymph nodes.
• Stage II: Stage II Breast Cancers are categorized into 2 categories based on the size of the tumor.
• Stage II-A: The size of the tumor is less than 2 cm (with lymph node involvement) or the spread is bigger than 2 cm but not more than 5 cm without lymph node involvement.
• Stage II-B: In this stage, the spread may be greater than 5 cm (but has not yet extended to the axillary lymph nodes). Otherwise, it is between 2 cm and 5 cm (with axillary lymph nodes involved).
• Stage III: Stage III Breast Cancers can also be classified into 2 phases.
• Stage III-A: The tumor is greater than 2 cm but not more than 5 cm and has extended up to underarm lymph nodes.
• Stage III-B: Is a critical stage where the surrounding breast tissues also become a prey of breast cancer.
• Stage IV: Cancer spreads to other organs and tissues. Chances of survival are about 16% and this period is also known as advanced stage.

Breast Cancer can only be treated in its early stages. Surgeries and therapies such as Chemotherapy breast cancer, Hormonal therapy, Radiation Therapy etc. are available to treat Breast Cancer. Hence make sure that you approach a doctor if you feel something wrong with your breasts.

Tags: breast cancer stage, breast cancer symptoms, Chemotherapy breast cancer