Breast Cancer
Mortality rates from breast cancer in developed countries have declined since the early 1990s; however, mortality from this disease is increasing in developing countries.

Breast cancer age at onset
The risk of getting breast cancer increases with age. Most breast cancers are diagnosed in women over the age of 55.

Breast Cancer Symptoms
Breast cancer may not show any symptoms in its early stages. The tumor may be too small to be felt. However, tumor diagnosis can still be made on mammography. Breast cancer symptoms:
A palpable lump in the breast
Swelling in all or part of the breast
Skin irritation
Pulling the breast skin backwards
Nipple discharge

Breast Cancer Stages
Breast cancer is divided into stages based on how large the tumor or tumors are and how they have spread. The most commonly used system for determining breast cancer staging is the TNM staging system. The stages provide an indication of prognosis and guide treatment decisions.

Stage 0:

  Cancer cells have not acquired the potential to spread. Non-Invasive Breast Cancer (ductal or lobular carcinoma in situ) is defined as stage 0 disease. The cancer is still confined to its source ducts or lobules and has not metastasized.

Stage 1:

The size of the tumor is less than 2 cm.

Stage 2:

The size of the tumor is between 2 and 5 cm. It is divided into stages IIA and IIB.

Stage IIA:
Spread to underarm lymph regions
It has spread to the axillary lymph nodes and is 2 cm or smaller.
It is between 2 cm and 5 cm and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes.

Stage IIB:
It is larger than 2 cm, smaller than 5 cm and has spread to the axillary lymph nodes.
It is larger than 5 cm but has not spread to the axillary lymph nodes.

Stage 3: 3A is divided into 3B and 3C.

Stage 3A:
· 2 cm or smaller. The cancer has spread to the axillary lymph region or to the rib cage lymph nodes.
Greater than 2 cm but less than 5 cm. The cancer has spread to the axillary lymph nodes or to the rib cage lymph nodes.
It is larger than 5 cm. The cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the armpit lymph region or near the rib cage.

Stage 3D:

The tumor has spread to the breast skin or to the lymph area near the rib cage, to the axillary lymph nodes.

Stage 3C:

Cancer has spread to the chest wall or breast skin.

Stage 4: The cancer has spread to other organs in the body.

 

Click Here To Read About Breast Cancer in Men