Can breast cancer be found early?
Screening refers to tests and exams used to find a disease, like cancer, in people who do not have any symptoms. The goal of screening exams, such as mammograms, is to find cancers before they start to cause symptoms. Breast cancers that are found because they can be felt tend to be larger and are more likely to have already spread beyond the breast. But screening exams can often find breast cancers when they are small and still confined to the breast.
The mammogram is the main test recommended by the American Cancer Society to find breast cancer early. The American Cancer Society also recommends breast MRI for women who are at high risk of breast cancer because of certain factors.
TYPES OF BREAST CANCER
- Noninvasive (in situ) breast cancer:Cancerous cells remain in a particular location of the breast, without spreading to surrounding tissue, lobules or ducts.
- Invasive (infiltrating) breast cancer:Cancerous cells break through normal breast tissue barriers and spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream and lymph nodes.
- Breast cancer is also classified based on where in the breast the disease started (e.g., milk ducts, lobules), how the disease grows, and other factors. The tabs on the left provide an overview of some common types of breast cancer. Some other types of breast cancer include, but are not limited to: Paget's disease of the nipple, sarcoma of the breast, medullary carcinoma, tubular carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma, metaplastic carcinoma, adenocystic carcinoma, phyllodes tumor and angiosarcoma.
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How is breast cancer treated?
This information represents the views of the doctors and nurses serving on the American Cancer Society's Cancer Information Database Editorial Board. These views are based on their interpretation of studies published in medical journals, as well as their own professional experience. This treatment information is not official policy of the Society and is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your cancer care team. It is intended to help you and your families make informed decisions, together with your doctor. Your doctor may have reasons for suggesting a treatment plan different from these general treatment options. Don't hesitate to ask him or her questions about your treatment options.
General types of treatment for breast cancer
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- ChemotherapyHormone therapy
- Targeted therapy
- Bone-directed therapy
Treatments can be classified into broad groups, based on how they work and when they are used.
Breast Cancer Screening Reminder!!!
The American Cancer Society encourages women to makehealthy lifestyle choicessuch as eating a healthy diet, getting regular physical activity, and reducing alcohol, if a woman drinks. These choices can help reduce their breast cancer risk. The American Cancer Society also encourages regular breast exams and mammograms to find breast cancer early, when it is most likely to be curable. A screening reminder, to remind you to get your breast exam and mammogram, is a free, easy way to help busy women remember to take care of themselves.