Breast Cancer: Diagnosis and Stages

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women. Statistically, 1 in 8 women suffers from a certain type of breast cancer at some point in their life. If you have breast cancer, or if you suspect that you do, it is advisable to know the basic facts about its diagnosis and stages.

What are the diagnoses of breast cancer?

Breast cancer happens when the cells in your breast develop an abnormality, usually referred to as a tumor. The cancerous cells can invade into the neighbor tissues and spread to other distant organs such as your lungs, liver, bones and even brain.

For a full diagnosis, your doctor will need to take a look at your family history and your medical records first since genetic predisposition and personal health history are among the highest risk factors. Then, your breast will be examined for visible abnormalities such as a lump, unusual changes in color and shape. Other frequently required tests are the mammogram, ultrasound, and MRI. Sometimes, you will also need a biopsy of your breast tissue to send to the lab. An expert on cell development will look at your samples under a microscope to look for any unusual tissue growing patterns. If you have cancer, the result can show you what type you have and which stage you are in.

Breast cancer advances through many stages

Stage 0: Cancer originates, but is still localized in the breast.

Stage I: Cancer still stays in the breast but has grown to 2 centimeters.

Stage IIA: The tumor is smaller than 2 cm, and the lymph node is involved; or, the tumor is possibly larger than 2 cm but smaller than 5 cm but no lymph node involvement.

Stage IIB: The tumor may be larger than 5 cm, but no lymph node is involved; or, the tumor is less than 5 cm, and there is lymph node involvement.

Stage IIIA: The tumor is larger than 5 cm, and cancer has spread to the lymph node and nearby tissues.

Stage IIIB: Cancer now has spread to the skin and the wall of the chest.

Stage IIIC: Cancer invades extensively and involves numerous lymph nodes.

Stage IV: Cancer has gotten into distant organs such as liver, lungs, bones and brain.

The key in fighting breast cancer depends on the early treatment and that‘s why it is vital to figure out your condition as soon as possible. If left untreated, what might have been a non-invasive and harmless condition can progress to a deadly disease.  Therefore, you need to be diagnosed as soon as you feel something is wrong with your breast. You may not believe it, but a little more attention to your body may save your life someday.