When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, doctors perform several tests to determine the stage, which refers to how much the cancer has spread.”
Know About Breast Cancer Stages and Be Alert for Genetic Connection
Today, on July 5, 2024, it is important to spread awareness, especially for women’s health. Breast cancer is a common cancer in women. This disease can be defeated with timely detection and treatment. In this article, we will learn about the different stages of breast cancer and genetic risk factors.
Stages of Breast Cancer:
When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, doctors do several tests to determine how much the cancer has spread. This is what we call “stage”. The lower the stage, the more effective the treatment proves to be.
- Stage 0: It is also called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). This is the earliest stage, where abnormal cells are found only in the milk-producing ducts. These cells may turn into cancer, but have not yet spread to surrounding tissues.
- Stage 1: In this stage, the cancer lump is smaller than 2 centimeters and has not spread to nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage 2: The cancer lump may be larger than 2 centimeters or smaller than 2 centimeters but has spread to some lymph nodes.
- Stage 3: In this stage, the cancer lump may be larger or has spread more to nearby lymph nodes. Sometimes the cancer also spreads to the skin of the chest or the muscles of the chest wall.
- Stage 4: This is the most serious stage of breast cancer. In this, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as bones, brain, or lungs.
- Genetic Connection:
Some women have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. One reason for this could be genetic history in the family. If your mother, sister, or daughter has had breast or ovarian cancer, you may also be at increased risk of this disease.
Changes in certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, can also increase the risk of breast cancer. If you want to know about your genetic risk, you can consult a doctor for a genetic test.
Be Alert and Get Screened Early:
There are no specific symptoms in the early stages of breast cancer. Therefore, it is very important to get regular screening done.
Every woman should self-examine her breasts every month from the age of 20. After the age of 40, it is also beneficial to get a mammogram every 1-2 years.
If you feel a lump in the breast, notice a change in breast size, or notice blood or fluid coming out of the nipple, contact the doctor immediately. Early detection makes treatment easier and increases the chances of a healthy life.
Remember, awareness is the only way to prevent breast cancer
