Breast Cancer Notes
Stages
Stage 0— Non-invasive breast cancers. No evidence of cancer or no abnormal cells.
Stage I — Invasive breast cancer. Cells are breaking through to or invading neighboring
normal tissue. (Tumor measures up to 2 centimeters AND no lump nodes involved
Stage II — IIA— no tumor found on breasts, measures 2 centimeters or less or larger
then 2 centimeters but shorter than 5.
IIB— Larger than 2 centimeters, shorter than 5 has spread to axillary lymp nords OR
tumor is larger than 5 centimeters but has not spread.
Stage III—
IIIA—
no tumor is found in the breast. Cancer is found in axillary lymph nodes that are clumped
together or sticking to other structures, or cancer may have spread to lymph nodes near
the breastbone, OR
the tumor is 5 centimeters or smaller and has spread to axillary lymph nodes that are
clumped together or sticking to other structures, OR
the tumor is larger than 5 centimeters and has spread to axillary lymph nodes that are
clumped together or sticking to other structures (Direct Copy and Paste from website)
IIIB—
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the tumor may be any size and has spread to the chest wall and/or skin of the breast AND
may have spread to axillary lymph nodes that are clumped together or sticking to other
structures, or cancer may have spread to lymph nodes near the breastbone
Inflammatory breast cancer is considered at least stage IIIB.
IIIC
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there may be no sign of cancer in the breast or, if there is a tumor, it may be any size and
may have spread to the chest wall and/or the skin of the breast, AND
the cancer has spread to lymph nodes above or below the collarbone, AND
the cancer may have spread to axillary lymph nodes or to lymph nodes near the
breastbone
Stage IV
the cancer has spread to other organs of the body -- usually the lungs, liver,
bone, or brain
Complications
Lump on the breast
Rash on the nipple may occur
Breast may swell and become red
Blockage of drainage of fluid from the breast.
May spread to other parts of the body quickly, which is the main cause of
deaths.
Prevalence/Epdemiology
Mostly in Women, however small chance in men.
Most significant factor is gender and age.
87.5% chance you will not develop breast cancer
When you reach older ages, your chances increase.
Can depend on, your lifestyle, your diet, your weight, your overall health,
etc.
Alcohol can be a huge factor.
About 13% of women have Breast Cancer
Less than 1% of Breast Cancer cases are in men.
Highest amounts of deaths in the U.S. in women besides lung cancer.
More than 1 in 4 cancers in women is breast cancer.
About 5-10% of breast cancers are caused by gene mutations inherited from
one’s mother or father. Mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are the most
common. Women with these mutations have up to an 80% risk of developing
breast cancer during their lifetime, and they often are diagnosed at a younger
age (before age 50). An increased ovarian cancer risk is also associated with
these genetic mutations. Men with a BRCA1 mutation have a 1% risk of
developing breast cancer by age 70 and a 6% risk when they have a BRCA2
mutation. (Direct Copy and Paste)
Prevention
Keep a good health, eat right, etc. are some basic ways.
Check your breasts regulary.
Go to a doctor for exams every once in a while.
Have an annual mammogram.
Stay away from drugs and smoking.
Get good exercise daily.
Treatment
Ways of treatment:
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5.
6.
Surgery- (Lumpectomy, Mastectomy, Lymp Node Removal, etc.
Chemotherapy
Radiation Therapy
Hormonal Therapy
Targeted Therapies
Complementary & Holistic Medicines
Side Effects:
1. Surgery- Small pains, risk of infection, poor wound healing, bleeding, etc.
2. Radiation Treatments- Fatigue, area may become red, rash, itchy, etc. Skin may
become moist and “weepy”
3. Chemotherapy- Depends on drugs patient receives, may affect certain cells in
the body (such as blood cells), hair loss, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting.
Awarness
Breast cancer association is one of the main groups fundraising for breast cancer.
They started many fundraisers, walks, etc. to help raise money for research and
cures for breast cancer. The famous pink ribbon representing a breast cancer
survivor.