Breast Cancer Stages

Staging measures how far the cancer has spread, if at all. Staging provides a snapshot of the current situation, and it shows the medical team where they need to focus. Cancer stages can be compared to a fire alarm - the higher the numbers of the alarm the more the fire has spread.

For example, a doctor uses staging to determine how to assign treatments for breast cancer just like a fire chief uses the number of alarms determine how to assign resources to put out a fire. The first step is to get a tissue sample with a biopsy and then the pathology report. Pathology reports can seem complicated, but they go hand in hand staging cancer.

Generally, breast cancer staging falls into these 5 categories:

Stage 0 is not spreading at the moment.

Stage 1 is not spreading but has the potential to spread

Stage 2 has spread beyond the original location

Stage 3 has spread beyond the original location and possibly to the lymph nodes

And stage 4 has spread to a distant organ.

Keep in mind that two patients might be in the same stage yet have different types of breast cancer so it's important not to compare your stage to others, it's apples and oranges, they're still fruit but not the same thing.

Currently, 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and when they were diagnosed:

65% were diagnosed as stage 0 or 1

26% were diagnosed as stage 2 or 3

and 6% were diagnosed as stage 4.

Based on those statistics you can see why early detection is so important.

The most important lesson is that you understand your diagnosis and stage which you cannot know until you have a biopsy and pathology.

If you don’t understand your stage ask questions.

If you’re not satisfied with the answers get a second opinion.

Lastly, if you have already been staged, please keep in mind that the final staging will be determined after surgery.

Watch our video on breast cancer staging on YouTube https://youtu.be/2pDGXdEhzqs

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