How Fast Does Breast Cancer Grow: Decoding the Pace
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer, with 300,590 new cases expected in the US alone in 2023.
According to the National Cancer Institute, new female breast cancer cases have been rising on average by 0.4% yearly.
The rising cases of Breast Cancer make it necessary to understand its growth rate for early detection, treatment planning, and improving patient outcomes.
However, determining the exact speed of breast cancer progression can be complex, as it varies from person to person.
The following article discusses the factors that influence the growth rate of breast cancer and shed light on the general patterns observed in its development.
How fast does Breast Cancer grow and spread
The growth rate of a breast cancer tumor is measured by its volume doubling time.
It is the time it takes for a tumor to double in size because of its growth.
A 2021 review study shows that, on average, breast cancers grow double in size every six months.
However, the size of a breast tumor and how fast it grows depends on many factors that affect its growth and chances of spreading, including subtype, age, and genetics.
Determining the rate at which breast cancer grows is valuable for individuals who have recently received a diagnosis.
It helps them in deciding the time to begin the treatment.
Factors affecting Breast cancer growth
Several factors, including the characteristics of cancer cells, subtype, genetics, age, and overall patient health, influence the pace of breast cancer growth.
It is noteworthy that breast cancer growth is not a linear process, and its rate can vary over time.
Type
Breast cancer can be categorized into various subtypes based on the presence or absence of hormone receptors (Estrogen and Progesterone) and a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein.
The growth patterns of these subtypes differ, with some exhibiting more aggressive behavior than others.
For instance, in the case of HER2 breast cancer, breast cancer cell growth is rapid due to high levels of HER2 protein.
But, Triple-negative breast cancer, which lacks all three receptors, tends to grow faster than other subtypes and spread more rapidly.
Grade
Another critical factor determining the speed of breast cancer growth is its grade.
The grade of Breast Cancer is based on how different the cancer cells look from normal cells and how quickly the cancer cells are dividing.
Doctors divide Breast Cancer on a scale from 1 to 3, where the grade 1 cancer cells appear most similar to normal cells.
Tumor grading is also based on the characteristics of cancer cells, such as their shape, size, and proliferation rate.
High-grade tumors are more aggressive, growing and spreading faster than low-grade tumors.
This is shown by a 2020 study where tumor growth rates were studied in women aged between the years of 47 to 60.
The study concluded that Grade 3 tumors grew more aggressively than grade or grade 1 quality tumors.
Age
Breast cancer in younger women tends to have a faster growth rate, while in older women, it may grow more slowly on average.
An extensive study on more than 35,000 women showed that a tumor’s mean time needed to grow from 10 mm to 20 mm in diameter was estimated as 1.7 years.
This time of tumor growth increased with age, showing that it grows rapidly in young women.
It also showed that hormonal factors, cancer characteristics like size and type, and screening practices could contribute to age-related differences in breast cancer growth rates.
Genetics
Several studies have shown that hereditary factors and genes affect the growth time of breast cancer time.
Certain genetic mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, can increase the risk of developing breast cancer.
These mutations may also exhibit a more aggressive growth pattern.
A study published in the European Journal of Cancer showed that patients who carried BRCA1/2 genes had a shorter tumor doubling period than the noncarriers.
However, it is essential to remember that not all breast cancers are genetically driven, and many cases occur sporadically without a clear hereditary link.
Can you slow down the breast cancer growth rate?
Yes, breast cancer growth rate can be slowed down by treatments.
Depending on the type, size, and cancer stage, doctors may prescribe therapies.
One can prevent cancer growth with healthy management practices, eating a balanced diet, taking medications on time, and regularly consulting your doctor.
Conclusion
There is no definitive answer to how fast breast cancer grows.
Determining the exact speed at which breast cancer grows is complex, as it depends on multiple factors.
It varies from person to person and depends on the type of cancer, grade, genetic factors, age, and individual variations.
Early detection through regular cancer screening is vital for diagnosing breast cancer at an early stage when treatment options are more effective.
Understanding the factors influencing breast cancer growth can help patients and medical professionals to start early treatment.
This aids in providing patients with the best possible care, ultimately improving survival rates.
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