| Breast cancer can be a frightening diagnosis. | | | | of image resonance tests performed. Other |
| Having an increased awareness, early symptom | | | | screen methods may include a combination of |
| detection and treatment are the best known | | | | bones scans and blood testing at the |
| ways to fighting this deadly form of cancer. You | | | | recommendation of your doctor. |
| can get free information on awareness from | | | | Stages of Cancer of The Breast: |
| foundations, support groups, and society | | | | Stage 1: This stage is referred to as non-invasive |
| organizations. That's the reason for awareness | | | | due to the fact that the cancer has not spread or |
| month, where many survivors wear pink breast | | | | invaded nearby tissue or organs. |
| cancer bracelets, ribbons, and pins. | | | | Stage 2: This is the point in which the cells begin |
| You simply have a greater chance of surviving | | | | to spread into other areas of the breast on the |
| this type of cancer with early detection according | | | | same side, and thus invasive. However, the lymph |
| to statistics and research. The most common | | | | nodes underneath the arm are not affected. |
| method of early detection is to perform self | | | | Stage 3: This is the point in which the cells begin |
| examinations on your breast followed by a | | | | to spread into other areas of the breast on the |
| mammogram each year. Because a self-exam is | | | | same side, affecting the lymph nodes. |
| not a 100% method of screening for breast | | | | The remaining stage involves the invasive nature |
| cancer, a mammogram increases the chances of | | | | of cancerous cells spreading to surrounding breast |
| finding irregularities within the surrounding breast | | | | tissue, where the cancer causes the lymph nodes |
| tissue. This is especially true if you are at high risk | | | | to clusterize or lump together. At this stage, |
| of developing diseases due to other disease | | | | cancer can spread throughout the chest cavity |
| causing impairments and or a low immune system. | | | | and affect the skin of the breast. |
| Learning how to perform a breast examination | | | | What To Look for In Treatment: |
| may seem awkward at first. Women tend to feel | | | | Your doctor may recommend a variety of |
| other tissue within the breast thinking that they | | | | treatments based on the level or stage one may |
| are cancerous tumors when in fact they are not. | | | | be at. Options for treating tumors located in the |
| As you become more familiar with the process of | | | | breast may include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, |
| self exams, you will become more confident. | | | | and prescription drugs. See the American Cancer |
| Things you will look for when performing an exam | | | | Society cancer site for more information on |
| include irregular lumps, unusual tissue swelling, and | | | | survival rates, the latest research, and links to |
| tenderness when you are not on your menstrual | | | | national organizations. |
| cycle. There are a variety of tests that can be | | | | A diet rich in antioxidants may prove to help in |
| performed to detect breast cancer. Your doctor | | | | the recovery process for anyone going through |
| can best prescribe a plan that will work for you. | | | | treatment. It has been know for years that |
| There are two mains ways to screen. They are: | | | | essential vitamins and minerals are an important |
| Mammograms - which should be a part of your | | | | ingredient in the fight against certain types of |
| maintenance health plan, and medical diagnostic | | | | cancers. |
| screening test. MRI's are the most common form | | | | |