The Ultimate Guide to Stage 1 Breast Cancer
Stage 1 breast cancer is an early stage of the disease.
During this stage, the tumor is small and has not spread beyond the breast tissue.
The stage is highly treatable, offering favorable outcomes for patients.
This article will help you explore various aspects, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and the importance of early detection.
Let’s dive into this crucial topic and empower ourselves with great detail on stage 1 breast cancer.
Classification
Stage 1 is classified into two groups.
Stage 1A
The stage refers to the condition where the cancer is measured at 2 cm.
It is small in appearance and has not spread outside the breast.
Stage 1B
In this stage, no tumor is found in the breast.
However, small portions of cancer cells are found in the lymph nodes near the breast.
Here the tumor is 2 cm or smaller.
Symptoms
Symptoms of breast tumors differ from person to person.
Some common and early signs of breast cancer include,
- Nipple discharge
- Dimpling of the skin
- Swelling or redness of the breast
- A lump in the breast or the armpit
- Inversion or flattening of the nipple
- Changes to the texture of the skin of the breast
Diagnosis
Early detection and diagnosis can help treat stage 1 of cancer.
Here are some tests and procedures used to diagnose breast cancer stage 1.
Mammogram
Mammography involves taking breast X-rays to detect any abnormalities, including small tumors.
If an abnormality is discovered, your doctor may recommend a diagnostic Mammogram.
Clinical Breast Exam (CBE)
Your healthcare expert will physically examine the breasts.
They will check for changes in breast shape or size, lumps formation, or any other suspicious signs.
Breast Ultrasound
In this approach, sound waves are used to project the images of the breast tissue.
It helps determine whether a lump is solid or filled with fluid.
Based on the results, further treatment will be carried out.
Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Here, a combination of magnetic and radio waves provides detailed breast images.
It can help evaluate the surrounding tissues of the breast by assessing the extent of the tumor.
Biopsy
Your doctor will remove and examine a small portion of the breast tissue under the microscope.
It is a definitive method for diagnosing breast cancer and determining its stage and characteristics.
However, consulting with an expert and determining the appropriate personalized diagnostics is crucial.
Prognosis
The chance for survival or Prognosis varies depending on the stage of breast cancer.
Non-invasive (stage 0) and early-stage invasive breast cancers (stages I and II) have a better prognosis than later-stage cancers (stages III and IV).
The prognosis for stage 1 is generally favorable.
With early detection and appropriate treatment, the survival rates are high.
Stage 1 breast cancer has a 98%â100% five-year survival rate.
However, individual outcomes may vary depending on tumor characteristics, treatment response, and overall health.
Treatment
Early detection and treatment can help you overcome the initial stage of breast cancer.
Here are a few of the treatment options that your doctor might recommend.
Surgery
Doctors usually prefer surgery to remove the cancer.
Breast-conserving or a wide local excision is among the surgeries that the expert might use to remove the cancerous area with a frontier of normal breast tissue.
Post-surgery, you will have three weeks of radiotherapy for breast settlement. However, some recognized hospitals might do it in a shorter while.
Other surgeries include Mastectomy (complete breast removal) and Breast reconstruction.
“Surgical choices that women with breast cancer make can have an impact on their long-term quality of life.”
Laura Dominici, Surgeon, Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center
Checking the lymph nodes
Before your surgery, an ultrasound scan checks the armpit (axilla) lymph nodes near the breast.
This is to see if they include cancer cells.
When breast cancer spreads, it generally starts in the lymph nodes near the breast.
Depending on the outcome of your scan, you might have,
- Lymph node dissection and removal surgery
- Biopsy of the sentinel lymph node during surgery for breast cancer
Hormone therapy
Some cancer cells might have hormone receptors for the female hormones Progesterone or Estrogen.
Doctors might recommend hormone therapy for at least five years if your cancer cells have hormone receptors.
Chemotherapy
Your doctor might recommend chemotherapy if you develop features of cancer and can get actual benefits from the therapy.
The procedure will treat cancer larger than 1 cm; even if the cells look abnormal, this might be a sign of a high-grade tumor.
Your doctor will talk to you about this and explain the potential benefits and drawbacks.
Targeted cancer therapy
If your cancer cells are shown to exhibit HER2 receptors, your malignancy is classified as HER2-positive.
In that case, your doctor can access chemotherapy and the targeted cancer medication Trastuzumab (Herceptin).
This therapy plan typically lasts for one year.
Bone strengthening treatment
You may also have procedures with a group of bone-strengthening drugs called bisphosphonates.
This treatment helps reduce the risk of breast cancer spreading to the bones.
You may have this if you have early-stage breast cancer and no longer have periods (post-menopausal).
Finding social and emotional support
During your battle with breast cancer, it’s essential to surround yourself with friends and family.
This journey may be challenging, but you are not alone.
Early detection and diagnosis can help eliminate breast cancer stage 1.
Ask your doctor if there is a support group in the vicinity.
One alternative is to join an online community or social media platform.
Talk to your doctor if you want more information about your diagnosis, potential treatments, or community support options.
If you need assistance searching, a counselor or social worker can help you find a local support group.
Outlook
Breast cancer in its early stages is mostly curable.
Early identification and routine screening can lead to successful treatment and excellent outcomes.
Mammography, biopsies, and molecular diagnostics are only a few of the available options.
The five-year survival rate for Stage 1 breast cancer is relatively high if the patient receives the proper treatment.
To make educated decisions about treatment and follow-up care, it is essential to stick to a healthy lifestyle, keep up with routine screenings, and talk to medical professionals.
Let’s spread awareness and support each other in the fight against breast cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is breast cancer curable in the 1 stage?
In its early stages, breast cancer has a good chance of being cured. The prognosis is generally good, and the five-year survival rate is high, especially if the disease is diagnosed and treated early.
What is the survival rate of stage 1 breast cancer?
A five-year survival rate of nearly one hundred percent is typical for Stage 1 breast cancer. Tumor features, therapy response, and the patient’s overall health are all variables that can affect the outcome of cancer treatment. Regular checkups and prompt care dramatically increase the likelihood of survival.
Does breast cancer at Stage 1 come back?
Even though the risk of Stage 1 breast cancer coming back is low, it is still possible. Regular screenings and physician visits help detect recurrence and improve outcomes.
Can you live 30 years after breast cancer?
Survival rates of 30 years or more following a breast cancer diagnosis are achievable. Breast cancer patients now have a much better chance of living long after being diagnosed with the disease. The key to long-term health is maintaining a healthy lifestyle and receiving regular follow-up care.
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