Melanin & Pink Ribbons

A Basic Overview of Stage 1 Breast Cancer

In a prior post, I explained Stage 0 breast cancer. This post picks up the series covering Stage 1 breast cancer and the information is courtesy of the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

To recap Stage 0 is noninvasive but Stage 1 is invasive which means it has spread from the original site in the body. It is usually in a small area and the cancerous tumor is small. Stage 1A breast cancer tumors are 2 centimeters or less. To give you a visual about the size of a peanut. In comparison, Stage 1B breast cancer is 2 centimeters or smaller but has spread to the lymph nodes. Similarly, Stage 1B can also be exclusively found in the lymph nodes only and not the breast. It can be overwhelming and a lot to take in and understand but take a glance at this cart to help:

Remember the signs of Stage 1 breast cancer are a lump in the breast, nipple discharge, nipple turned inward as well as the other usual sins of distress in the breast. Stage 1 breast cancer is diagnosed with:

• Mammogram
• Ultrasound
• Breast self-exam
• Clinical breast exam

The customary treatment is a lumpectomy often followed by radiation, but a mastectomy is possible if the medical team finds extensive spreading of the cancer.

Want the good news? The 5-year survival rate for U.S. women with Stage 1 breast cancer is 99% according to the American Cancer Society. Those are the odds of a winner. It supports the tenant that early detection saves lives. It gives hope and makes breast cancer survivable. I by no means want to lead you to believe the road is easy because it’s not but you can be diagnosed, receive treatment, and survive, and that is what I want for everyone.