Statistics indicate that breast cancer-related complications are among the top causes of death among women for over 23% of all women’s deaths in the world .
The great cases of breast cancer are attributed to lack of information on and hard data on the disease, especially on early diagnosis and treatment options.
The Stages of Breast Cancer
What is breast cancer? Cancer is a serious disease caused by the spreading of abnormal cells to other parts of the human body. Breast cancer, in particular, is marked by a group of cancer cells generally known to create a malignant tumor or lump that starts in the cells of the breast. This group of cancer cells then spreads to the lymph nodes or to other organs through the bloodstream. This sometimes, unfortunately, ends in death and illness in many people.
The development of breast cancer can be broken down into several stages; it is important to understand what each stage represents because of cancer, especially breast cancer, is so ubiquitous in American women. The breast cancer stages use numbers that range from 0 to 4. Each stage implies that cancer has been diagnosed, and as the numerals get higher, it means that the cancer is more advanced.
Stage 0: This stage refers to noninvasive cancer that is diagnosed early. It stays in the breast ducts where it started. It is highly treatable and generally may go away with the right treatment and care.
Stage 1 Breast Cancer: This stage refers to cancer that is starting to attack healthy tissue. It is usually called ‘invasive’, this particular kind of cancer. Here the tumor may be the size of a peanut. In Stage IA, the cancer cells have moved into the fatty tissue of the breast. In Stage IB, small amounts of cancer cells have invaded the lymph glands. It too is highly treatable and goes away with the right treatment and care.
Stage 2 Breast Cancer: This stage refers to cancer that has grown and spread. In Stage IA, the tumor is still small but has most likely spread to the lymph nodes. In Stage IB, the tumor had grown to the size of a walnut or even bigger and may have found its way to inside the lymph nodes. It requires more aggressive form treatment but it is treatable, fortunately enough.
Stage 3 Breast Cancer: This refers to cancer that is advanced but has not yet spread to the bones or organs. In Stage IA, up to nine lymph nodes are infected and form a chain from the underarm to the collarbone. In Stage IB, the tumor has grown into the skin around the breast or into the chest wall. In Stage IIIC, cancer has spread above or below the collarbone or has been found in 10 or more lymph nodes. This stage is considered advanced but there are a number of treatment options.
Stage 4 Breast Cancer: This refers to the most advanced stage of breast cancer. The cancer cells have spread to other organs, usually the bones, liver, lungs, and brain. It is usually described as ‘metastatic’, meaning that the cancer cells have moved beyond a region where it was first discovered. Stage IV cancer is considered incurable. Stage IV breast cancer does not mean that a person has to give up on life or relationships as there are treatment options that will lengthen life. A strong support group of family and friends will help as there are tough decisions that need to be made. The strenuous cycle of treatments can be exhausting. Many women with Stage IV breast cancer have discovered a renewed strength of character, as well as qualities of resilience that they never knew they had.
It is important to know and understand the stages of breast cancer and the breast cancer treatment options available. Cancer, these days, does not necessarily mean death and debilitation. There are so many treatment options available, so many new scientific discoveries and options, that people are able to combat certain types of breast cancer and triumph.
But there is a lot of good news about breast cancer these days. Treatments keep getting better, and we know more than ever about ways to prevent the disease. These eight simple steps can help lower the risk of breast cancer. Not every one applies to every woman, but together they can have a big impact.
1. Keep Weight in Check
It’s easy to tune out because it gets said so often, but maintaining a healthy weight is an important goal for everyone. Being overweight can increase the risk of many different cancers, including breast cancer, especially after menopause.
2 . Be Physically Active
Exercise is as close to a silver bullet for good health as there is, and women who are physically active for at least 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of breast cancer. Regular exercise is also one of the best ways to help keep weight in check.
3. Eat Your Fruits & Vegetables – and Avoid Too Much Alcohol
A healthy diet can help lower the risk of breast cancer. Try to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and keep alcohol at moderate levels or lower (a drink a day or under). While moderate drinking can be good for the heart in old
4. Avoid Birth Control Pills, Particularly After Age 35 or If You Smoke
Birth control pills have both risks and benefits. The younger a woman is, the lower the risks are. While women are taking birth control pills, they have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. This risk goes away quickly, though, after stopping the pill. The risk of stroke and heart attack is also increased while on the pill – particularly if a woman smokes. However, long-term use can also have important benefits, like lowering the risk of ovarian cancer, colon cancer and uterine cancer – not to mention unwanted pregnancy – so there’s also a lot in its favor. If you’re very concerned about breast cancer, avoiding birth control pills is one option to lower risk.
5. Avoid Post-Menopausal Hormones
Post-menopausal hormones shouldn’t be taken long term to prevent chronic diseases, like osteoporosis and heart disease. Studies show they have a mixed effect on health, increasing the risk of some diseases and lowering the risk of others, and both estrogenonly hormones and estrogen-plus-progestin hormones increase the risk of breast cancer. If women do take post-menopausal hormones, it should be for the shortest time possible. The best person to talk to about the risks and benefits of post-menopausal hormones is your doctor.
6. Don’t Smoke
Smokers and non-smokers alike know how unhealthy smoking is. On top of lowering quality of life and increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and at least 15 cancers – including breast cancer – it also causes smelly breath, bad teeth, and wrinkles. Now that’s motivation to stay smoke-free or work to get smoke-free.
5. Breastfeed, If Possible
Breastfeeding for a total of one year or more (combined for all children) lowers the risk of breast cancer. It also has great health benefits for the child.
How to do a breast self-exam: The five steps
Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips.
Here's what you should look for:
Breasts that are their usual size, shape, and color
Breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or swelling
If you see any of the following changes, bring them to your doctor's attention:
Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin
A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out)
Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling
Step 2: Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes.
Step 3: While you're at the mirror, look for any signs of fluid coming out of one or both nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).
Step 4: Next, feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Use a circular motion, about the size of a quarter.
Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements described in step 4.
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