Understanding what breast cancer really is: Discussing Various Cancer stages

Understanding what breast cancer really is marks the beginning of finding lasting treatment solutions

Before you can begin talking about cancer treatment or even prevention, you must first understand it. Cancer is not like any other disease that we can get it medication across the counter and without proper prescription. Therefore that communicates the importance of knowing what we are talking about. It will take the brains of experienced experts in this discipline for us to understand what cancer is all about. That is why this discussion is going to be delivered to base on the interaction we had earlier with doctor Dalal Akoury who is an expert in this line and also the founder of and the CEO of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center. She explains that breast tissue is made up of lobules that is to say milk-producing glands shaped in broccoli-like bunches and milk ducts which are tube-like structures that carry milk to the nipple. This is very important for all of us because about eighty percent of all breast cancer problems begin at the milk ducts.

Doctor Akoury continues to explain that under normal circumstances milk the ducts and lobules are lined with a single layer of cells. The moment these cells instigate abnormal growth by creating several layers known as atypical hyperplasia, such layers needs to be removed, examined and biopsied. If the layers are allowed to grow across the duct or lobule, it is diagnosed as a carcinoma in situ. The cells then become invasive when they break through the duct or lobule walls and invade surrounding tissue. These cells, now free of constraints, can enter the lymph system or bloodstream and invade other organs. When this happens, the cancer is said to have metastasized. This now brings us to the next point of concern which is at what age does one get cancer?

Understanding what breast cancer really is: But I’m too young to have breast cancer!

More than 11,000 women under the age of 40 will be told they have breast cancer this year. It is the leading cause of cancer death in women in this age group.

In the course of a lifetime, 1 in 8 women will fight breast cancer. Most breast cancer (60 to 70 percent) occurs in women over 50 years of age, but the incidence of breast cancer in young women is on the rise.

In her study of young breast cancer survivors doctor Akoury established that there are more than 200 cases of metastatic breast cancer in women tender age between 25 and 34. That was based on statistics gathered from National Cancer Institute data from 1973 to 2009. Today she says this number has gone up by 800 year after year. The implication of these results is that the type of breast cancer affecting the younger generation women is more aggressive. Therefore if you (a young woman) is to be diagnosed of breast cancer today, you are likely to have a better chance of surviving the ordeal if treatment is begun immediately within six weeks of the diagnosis.

It must be appreciated that breast cancer in young women often grows faster, spreads quickly, and usually requires aggressive treatment. Remember that careful attention must be taken so that in the process of treatment, no more harm is done because the chemotherapy and radiation therapy can increase the risks of other cancers, heart disease and infertility.

In her vast experience of over two decades doctor Akoury explains that besides the known facts, there are other special challenges that young or youthful breast cancer patients has to contend with. We are talking about social challenges, like for instance, many young women feel isolated as they wage war on the disease while watching their friends and family building lives and having children. This can be very hurting since there is no cure for breast cancer. It therefore impact heavily on young women that they have to remain committed to having breast cancer screenings and performing self-breast exams periodically.

While making effort in understanding what breast cancer really is, researchers across the globe are not sure why there has been an increase of breast cancer in young women. Nonetheless, there are theories that the increase may be due to:

Obesity
Lack of exercise
Overeating
Exposure to chemicals, viruses and environmental toxins
The increase may be due in part to the decision to delay child bearing until later in life.

These remain just theories however since yearly clinical breast cancer screenings are advised to commence at age 40, breast cancer in young women is usually found by self-breast exam in most cases. Therefore in the event that a young woman notices a mass in her breast that does not go away, this could be an indicator and therefore it is important that you seek medical attention immediately.

Understanding what breast cancer really is: Cancer stages are determined by the size and location of the cancer cells

Breast cancer is diagnosed in five stages ranging from 0 to 4. The definition of stages help surgeons and oncologists determine treatment based on the progression of the cancer.

Stage zero: This is the earliest stage of cancer. At this stage the cancer cells are still within the duct or lobule of the breast and have no ability to spread. When detected at this point treatment becomes very easy and economical.

Stage one: At this stage the cancer cells have invaded the walls of the duct or lobule, but are still less than 2.0 cm in size. Meaning that, the cancer cells are still in the breast and have not invaded the lymph nodes.

Stage two: the cancer cells at this stage are less than 5 cm in size. By this time, they have spread to one to three axillary (armpit) lymph nodes. Cancers that are over 2 cm may also be diagnosed as stage two.

Stage three: Cancer cells that invade four lymph nodes located in the armpit, collarbone and the nodes near the sternum or cancers that are over 5 cm that spread to any number of nodes; and tumors that have grown into the chest wall or skin are defined as Stage three.

Stage four: When cancer has spread beyond the breast and lymph nodes and has traveled or metastasized to distant nodes or the liver, lung, brain, bone or other organs, it is known as a Stage four cancer.

Finally in our interaction with the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the able leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury, we realize that while prevention is the best, but if you’re already affected, the there is still hope for you. Early detection or diagnosis is the secrete. This is so because treatment becomes much easier and economical at this stage. Therefore if you’re a young lady don’t wait until you’re 40, make a point of scheduling for an appointment with doctor Akoury today to escape the pain and frustrations of cancer in the future years.