Stages and Detection of Breast Cancer
Here are the six stages of breast cancer. This will give you a deep understanding on how breast cancer works and how to detect it.
Breast cancer is categorized into stages depending on the size of the tumor, if it has affected the lymph nodes in your armpits, and how far it has spread to other parts of the body.
STAGE 0
Non-invasive. Cancer in this stage is known as in situ and has not spread within or outside the breast.
STAGE 1
Tumor size is 2cm or smaller. No cancer cells in the lymph nodes or outside the breast.
STAGE 2
Tumor measures 2 to 5cm, or cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes.
STAGE 3A
Tumor is larger than 5cm, or lymph nodes with cancer have struck together.
STAGE 3B
Cancer has spread to other parts of the breast, as well as the chest wall, ribs and muscles. In rare instances, cancer may have also caused the breast to become red and swollen.
STAGE 4
An advanced stage where the tumor has spread to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes at the base of the neck (just above the collarbone), the lungs, bones, liver or brain.
How is breast cancer detected?
Doctors strongly recommend conducting a breast self-examination (BSE) every month. BSE should be done at the same time every month, preferably five to nine days after your period. Try to consult a doctor once a year and having her do a clinical breast exam on you.
If you are 40 or older and have a family history of breast cancer, your doctor will recommend a mammogram for you every year. An ultrasound is also sometimes recommended as a screening tool. At the moment, the mammogram is still what we call the “gold standard” in breast cancer detection.
Breast cancer is easier to treat when it’s detected earlier. That’s why doctors recommend that women over 20 perform breast self-examinations every month. The idea is not to look for abnormalities, but to familiarize yourself with the look and feel of your breasts so that when something abnormal does appear, you notice this at once. Up to 90 percent of lumps in the breasts are discovered by doing BSEs. This is best done three to five days after your period, when your breasts are the least lumpy and tender. Using a BSE glove helps magnify your sense of touch by reducing friction between your fingers and skin. It almost simulates the effect of doing BSE in the shower, using soapy water.
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