Types of Breast Cancer

Women seem to fear breast cancer more than any other life threatening disease. Research shows women are more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than from all forms of cancer combined. Breast cancer is rare in men, although it does occur.

If you are one that fears breast cancer, there is more reason for optimism today than ever before. Doctors have made great progress in diagnosing and treating breast cancer in the last 30 years.

Radical mastectomy is rarely performed today. There are more and better treatment options. This article addresses the different types of breast cancer.

Breast cancer type is determined from a tissue sample (biopsy) sent to the lab for analysis. The treatment for breast cancer depends upon what type it is.



The breast's milk ducts is where the most common types of breast cancer originate. The actual point in origin is determined by the microscopic appearance of the cancer cells from a biopsy.

When breast cancer cells remain contained within their place of origin the cancer is called situ breast cancer. In situ breast cancer the cancer cells have not invaded breast tissue around the duct or lobule.

Ductal carcinoma in situ is abnormal cells in the lining of a milk duct that have not invaded the surrounding breast tissue. In this early-stage breast cancer some experts consider it to be a "precancerous" condition. Success of treatment during this stage is high. No evidence suggests that ductal carcinoma in situ affects a woman's life span. If left untreated, it may eventually develop into invasive breast cancer.

Lobular carcinomas in situ are abnormal cells contained within a lobule of the breast that have not invaded the surrounding breast tissue. It has not yet been determined if lobular carcinoma in situ is an early form of breast cancer or just a marker for the future development of cancer. Experts agree if you have lobular carcinoma in situ you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer in either breast in the future.

Invasive breast cancers break free of where they originate and invade the surrounding tissues that support the ducts and lobules of the breast. The cancer cells can also travel to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes.

Invasive ductal carcinoma accounts for the majority of invasive breast cancers.

Invasive lobular carcinoma is less common than invasive ductal carcinoma, but acts in a similar manner. It starts in the milk-producing lobule and invades the surrounding breast tissue, and can spread to more parts of the body. You might not be able to detect a breast lump with invasive lobular carcinoma. There may be a general thickening or sensation in the breast tissue that feels different. Invasive lobular carcinoma is harder to find by touch and less likely to appear on a mammogram.

Source: Mayo Clinic, personal knowledge

Disclaimer: The information in this article is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about specific medical concerns.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. Article written 2-2007.

By Connie Limon

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10 Ways To Cope With Breast Cancer

If you or someone you know is suffering from breast cancer there are some steps you can take to cope with this horrible disease. You are not alone so read a compilation of things you can do.

Statistics show that over 200,000 American women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, but the good news is: Due to earlier detection and improved treatments, breast cancer deaths are declining.

Breast cancer brings on many physical and emotional changes in women and is a fearful and burdensome experience. If you are one of the many women facing this dreaded disease or know someone who is facing breast cancer, here are ten ways that will hopefully make coping with it easier.



1. Turn to the Lord

Pray to the Lord for strength and courage. Keep your faith in him always. Find a special scripture and read it whenever you are feeling down.

You will be amazed at the strength and comfort this will give you during this time. Remember, God always listens and he answers our prayers.

2. Talk to a Friend

Find a friend or family member that you can confide in and are not afraid to express your different emotions in front of them.

Just being able to share your feelings and know that someone is listening will be a big factor in getting rid of some of your anxiety.

3. Hug Someone

Hug your friends and family whenever you feel the need for support and comfort. Words do not have to be spoken, because the hug will tell it all.

You'll be amazed at how good this makes you and the person you hug feel.

4. Facing Breast Cancer is Constantly On Your Mind

When you find out you have breast cancer, your first thought when you wake up every morning will be about how you and your family are going to deal with this.

Remember, this is a normal reaction at first. Have patience and eventually this thought will change from dreading the future to excitement about how you will become a survivor.

5. Focus on Life One Day at a Time

Slow down and take time each day to do things that you want to do. If you feel up to it, spend the day with someone you really like.

Most of all keep a positive attitude every day and don't worry about what is going to happen tomorrow.

6. Cry When You Need To

You may find yourself crying a lot during this time. This is perfectly normal because you are facing a crisis you never expected.

Don't be ashamed to cry or let others see you cry. Crying is a good way of dealing with your stress and is a large factor in emotional healing.

7. Ask For Help

Don't be afraid to ask friends for help with errands and taking care of your younger children. If your spouse or children volunteer to do your chores, accept their offer.

Remember, everyone sincerely wants to help you during this difficult period. This will also give your family and friends a chance to show you how much they appreciate what you have done for them.

8. Support is Available.

Besides the support you receive from your family and friends, you can also go to the local women's breast cancer support group. You will reap many benefits from the relationships you establish with other breast cancer survivors at the support groups.

There are also support groups available for your family members if they feel they need to talk about their feelings.

9. Do Something for Yourself

If you feel up to it, spend the day shopping or going to a movie. Curl up on the couch with a good book or watch a funny video. "Take a Nap" if you want to.

10. Don't Feel Alone

Always remember, you are not alone and you are a Cancer Survivor!!!!

Hopefully, these steps offered you some comfort and took some of the anxiety of breast cancer away. Remember, look forward to your future and appreciate TODAY!!!

Bob Pardue is owner of the PictureMed breast cancer info site. Learn more about breast cancer in women by visiting http://www.picturemed.com/breast-cancer/contents.htm right now ...


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Survival Rates Of Breast Cancer At Different Stages

Where the disease has not metastasized, the five-year survival rate for women suffering from breast cancer is about 86%. That percentage means that 86% of women who develop breast cancer live for at least five years after diagnosis. The good news is that depending on the stage it is discovered, the survival rate can be even higher than the overall average.

As with most cancers, breast cancer, develops in stages. A standard classification of letters and numbers is used to describe the stages - T, N and M and 0-IV. The alphabet T denotes the size of the tumor while alphabet N denotes that it has spread to the lymph nodes and the alphabet M means distant metastasis. When a primary tumor spreads to another area/s and forms more tumors, it has metastasized.



When a tumor cannot be assessed, it is designated the classification of TX. Where there is no indication of cancer, T0 is used. If one of the following forms is suspected - DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ), LCIS (lobular carcinoma in situ) or Paget's disease (where the nipple and/or areola is cancerous) - Tis is used.

Stage 0 indicates that the cancer is in its earliest stage. Stage I indicates that tumors have not spread and are less than 2cm in size. A tumor that is 2-5cm in diameter is classified as Stage II, and a tumor larger than 5cm is considered Stage III. When a tumor has attached to the chest wall and spread to the lymph nodes it is considered to be Stage IV.

Today, due to medical advances, many breast cancers are diagnosed and treated during the early stages.

When treatment is given to patients who are at Stage 0 or 1, the survival rates are almost 100%. And yes, men can develop breast cancer, though at a far lower rate of 1/133 when compared to women. For those with cancer in Stage II, the survival rate is at 81% to 92%. At Stage III the rate lowers to 67%, and then drops substantially to 20% at Stage IV.

Although it is a very serious illness, breast cancer is seldom life threatening. Women who have advanced stages of cancer have been known to live for more than seven years. As technology and medicine advance, survival rates increase. Even later stage cancer survival rates are rising as medical and treatment methods improve.

A fairly new method of diagnosing cancer is the QM-MSP (quantitative multiplex methylation-specific PCR) method. It was invented in 2001 and it involves tests done on fluids taken from the breast area. The chemical analysis undertaken during this test allows cancer to be detected with 86% reliability, and cancer clumps with as little as 50 cells can found. Treatment given in the early stages is highly effective, and new methods like this allow cancer to be diagnosed at the earliest possible stage.

Treatments are also improving, with hormone therapy, targeted radiation and molecule specific drugs now readily available.

Breast cancer is no longer the death sentence it used to be. Although the disease is still a matter of serious concern, the chances of survival are high and treatments are now less invasive.

Moses Wright is a health conscious webmaster who is highly interested in breast cancer issues. He started this site during his free time to help people learn more about what is breast cancer and breast cancer self exam.

By Moses Wright

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Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Among all the types of cancer, breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed in the world today. But compared to other cancer types that are not as frequently diagnosed, fewer people have actually died because of it. This means that there are more breast cancer survivors than the other types of cancer because most of them were given the proper diagnosis of the breast cancer that they had, allowing them to know and obtain the most viable treatment possible. Here are some things that you should know regarding breast cancer diagnosis.

Invasive or non-invasive
Non-invasive breast cancer is the type where the cancer cells remain in the part of the body where it originated, whether in the duct or lobule. Invasive breast cancer is that which has passed through the walls of the place of origin and has spread and infected the adjacent tissues and at times, may travel to other parts of the body through the vessels.

Lymph node involvement
Lymph is a fluid that moves through the arteries and travels through the tissues in order to cleanse them. Lymph nodes act as filters that trap all unwanted substances, including cancer cells, and they try to eliminate them from the body. The problem is that most of the time cancer cells are not eliminated but actually settle in the lymph nodes and that is how the nodes become infected with the tumor. If more lymph nodes are involved, this means that the cancer is more threatening and has a higher risk of spreading.

Stages
There are four breast cancer stages. Stage I means that cancer is of the invasive type, but the tumor is 2 centimeters long. Stage II involves a tumor which is 2-5 centimeters which may or may not have infected or travelled to the axillary lymph nodes. Stage III means that it is now locally advanced, meaning, it has spread to more nodes and breast skin, and its size is more than 5 centimeters. With Stage IV, or more advanced breast cancer, the tumor has moved farther from the breast and has infected other parts of the body as well.



Treatment
Mastectomy is the complete removal of the breast. Lumpectomy involves removal of only a part of it. After surgery, radiation may be administered, depending on the personality of the cancer. Other treatments are hormone therapy and chemotherapy, which are classified as systemic therapy because they are applied to the entire body. Hormone therapy is the blocking or reducing of estrogen in the body. This treatment is available if the cancer is hormone-receptive-responsive. In chemotherapy, medicine is applied to hinder cells from multiplying.

Once the diagnosis is clear, choosing the treatment options will follow. If cancer is non-invasive, lumpectomy may be performed. But if the cancer is invasive, other forms of treatment shall be applied. Treatment for Stage I cancer is usually lumpectomy or modified radical mastectomy. Radiation may or may not follow the surgery. Treatment for Stage II cancer is usually the same as that for Stage I cancer, followed by radiation. Stage III and IV cancer may be treated by mastectomy, chemotherapy and/or hormone therapy after surgery.

Cancer Personality
Doctors also tell you of the "personality" of your cancer, whether it is aggressive or not. If it is of the meaner or aggressive type, there is a higher risk for it to spread. There is therefore the need to use systemic treatment such as chemotherapy and hormone therapy. If it is of the milder type, localized treatment may be administered.

Doctors sometimes describe the spread of cancer as local, regional and distant. Local means that the cancer remains within the breast. Regional means that lymph nodes are involved, especially those under the armpit. Distant means that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. If the cancer is of the local or regional type, treatment may be lumpectomy or mastectomy. If cancer is distant, systemic therapy is necessary.

Knowing the breast cancer diagnosis is one reason for the decline in mortality rate. When you know the diagnosis, you know the proper treatment. As we all know, breast cancer can be treated if diagnosed at an early stage. While the number of women diagnosed may not considerably reduce, the number of women who shall seek treatment and survive shall increase. With an increase in awareness and advances in medicine, there will be more breast cancer survivors in the years to come.

By Nathalie Fiset

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Posted by straycat at 04:10 0 comments

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Breast Cancer Survival Rate

When one talks of breast cancer and treatment, the secondary question is its survival rate. Survival rates give patients an idea of the extent of their cancer as well as the treatments that are available to them. We often hear of five-year survival rates for each stage of breast cancer, but what exactly is breast cancer survival rate?

Breast cancer survival can be described in the following ways:
- Period of time : 5 or 10 years, that a woman lives after diagnosis
- Risk of reoccurrence
- Risk of death when compared to others with the same illness

The first is the more popular method. Since the survival rate is commonly categorized according to stages, some points about the stages of breast cancer first.

Stage 0 cancer is the non-invasive type. Cancer cells remain within the walls of the place where they are discovered. For Stage I, the tumor is invasive and is about 2 centimeters long. Stage IIA cancer means that tumor is 2-5 centimeters. With Stage IIB cancer, the tumor may be less than 2 centimeters but a few axillary lymph nodes are affected. For Stage IIIA cancer, the tumor is more than 5 centimeters or it has reached more lymph nodes. Stage IIIB cancer is characterized by the tumor invading the breast skin, regardless of its size. Stage IV cancer is the most advanced form, where the cancer cells have moved far from the breast and have infected other organs of the body as well.



Stages are also described as early (Stages 0-IIA), later (Stage IIB and III) and advanced (Stage IV).

When diagnosed with breast cancer it is the stages that will determine the treatment plan.

Survival rates
In computing the survival rate, researchers take note of the percentage of women who survive for a specific period of time, say, 5 years, after diagnosis of breast cancer. The current survival rates for all breast cancer stages are:

- Five-year survival rate - 86%
- Ten-year survival rate - 76%

Women with no metastatic breast cancer have a 5-year survival rate of 96%, while those with metastatic breast cancer have a 5-year survival rate of 21%

Here are the 5-year survival rates according to stage:

- Stage 0 - 100%
- Stage I - 100%
- Stage IIA - 92%
- Stage IIB - 81%
- Stage IIIA - 67%
- Stage IIIB - 54%
- Stage IV - 20%

Remember that these are estimates only. Some actually live longer than 7 years, depending on the medication and lifestyle changes that they make. After 7 years survival rates decrease.

Other factors that affect survival

Preliminary studies have been conducted regarding factors that can affect survival. There are promising results with respect to factors such as changing your diet and lifestyle. While the results are not conclusive yet, it still makes sense to maintain a healthy lifestyle. While there is no direct connection between exercise and increased survival rate, studies showed that exercise improved the quality of life of survivors, such as higher self-esteem, improved mood and better sleep patterns. The same holds true for group psychological therapy. Being able to express their feelings and support for other survivors had positive effects on their quality of life. Smoking increases the risk of the spread of cancer, as there may be metastasis of cancer from breast to lung.

The importance of early detection cannot be overemphasized. When detected early, the correct treatment can then be administered and once treated, there is less risk for the cancer to spread or recur. That is why doctors and breast cancer advocates encourage regular testing and screening for all women. This is necessary even after treatment because there is still a risk of recurrence.

Conduct a self breast exam monthly. If necessary, have clinical tests such as mammograms and MRI scans. Ask your doctor for more information on breast cancer and search the web for answers from experts.

Breast cancer survival rates are mere estimates. Some patients actually live longer than 5 or 7 years. Changes in diet and lifestyle can increase a patient's survival rate. Live a healthy lifestyle by eating more fruits, vegetables and fiber, and avoid alcohol intake.

By Nathalie Fiset

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