Around this time last year, we posted an article about Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the importance of prevention through detection. By catching it in the early stages of the disease, your chances of survival greatly increase. That’s why you should always schedule checkups, not solely in the month of October, but in every month of the year.

It’s also important to learn about the various stages of the disease, because not everyone will have it detected in its earliest stages. It’s true that you have a better chance of beating breast cancer when caught early, but it’s also possible to beat when caught in later stages, too.

Stage 1

The first stage of breast cancer means that there are cancerous cells detected, but they have not spread to any other organ. Stage 1 of breast cancer can be broken down into two possible subcategories. They are Stage 1A and a Stage 1B, and whether you have 1A or 1B is to be determined by the size of the tumor detected and if it has spread to the lymph nodes.

1A

• The tumor is smaller than 2centimeters and has not spread to the lymph nodes.

1B

• The lymph nodes have cancer evidence, but the tumor is still smaller that 2 centimeters.

Even if cancer is detected in the 1B stage of stage 1, it is still very treatable and survivable. If it is to be found in its localized stage, over a 5-year span, the survival rate is 100%. This is why we encourage everyone to get checked often and early.

Stage 2

In stage 2, the cancer is growing but still contained to the breast and possibly the lymph nodes. This stage can also be divided into two groups. They are 2A and 2B.

2A

• No tumor is associated with the cancerous cells, but four axillary lymph nodes have cancer cells present.
• Tumor is less than 2 centimeters and less than four axillary lymph nodes have cancer cells present.
• Tumor is between 2 to 5 centimeters, but has not spread to the lymph nodes.

2B

• The tumor is between 2 and 5 centimeters and has spread to less than four axillary lymph nodes.
• The tumor is larger than 5 centimeters but has not spread to any lymph nodes.

Breast cancer that is caught in stage two would require more aggressive treatment in order to defeat it. Some procedures may include surgery, radiation treatment, and even chemotherapy. However, the size of the tumor and the number of lymph nodes affected by the cancer cells will determine the next course of action.

Stage 3

The third stage of breast cancer occurs when the cancerous cells have extended beyond the immediate area of the tumor and into the surrounding lymph nodes and muscles, but not into any of the distant organs. It is termed as “advanced” or “inoperable” breast cancer, but this does not mean it is untreatable. Stage three is broken into 3 different parts.

3A

• No tumor but 4 to 9 nearby lymph nodes contain cancer.
• Tumor is more than 5 centimeters and small clusters of breast cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes.
• Tumor is larger than 5 centimeters and cancer has spread to lymph nodes under the arm and near the breastbone.

3B

• Tumor is any size
• Cancer has spread to the chest wall or breast skin
• Cancer is found in the lymph nodes

3C

• Tumor is any size
• Cancer is found in chest wall or breast skin causing swelling, inflammation, or ulcers
• Invaded 10 or more lymph nodes under the arm

Stage 4

In the fourth stage of breast cancer, the cancer has spread to other areas of the body such as the brains and lungs. Although it is considered incurable, the medical and research fields continue to make big strides when it comes to treating the fourth stage of breast cancer. Many women who are diagnosed with stage 4 are living longer with many more options when it comes to treatment.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is not solely meant to bring light to this issue, so people can donate money towards research and development. It’s also meant to raise awareness for yourself. Self-exams and regular checkups are your best defense against this form of cancer. Be sure to make this a habit for October, as well as the many months ahead of you in order to celebrate this special awareness month the right way!