Melanin & Pink Ribbons

No one wants a Stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis, but it is treatable. Stage 2 breast cancer is an invasive form of breast cancer, but it is early stage. The growth is in the breast tissue and or lymph nodes closest to the breast. It has 2 subtypes including 2A which means the cancerous cells are in the breast tissue and less than 4 axillary lymph nodes or the tumor is less than 2 centimeters and less than 4 axillary lymph nodes. Not too be confused with 2B which means the tumor is between 2-5 centimeters and has spread to less than 4 lymph nodes or the tumor is 5 centimeters or higher and has not spread to any lymph nodes. Ooh now I know that is a mouthful and sounds scary but remember caught early it is treatable.

Like all forms of breast cancer, if it is discovered during a mammogram or breast sonogram and may or may not present outward symptoms. Just to review the symptoms are thickening in the breast or underarm area, discharge from the nipple, change in skin texture, red skin, scaly or swollen skin or a lack of symmetry between the breasts. If you notice any of these symptoms that is your sign to call your doctor right away for an exam and follow up.

Common treatments include chemotherapy in the form of pills or intravenously administered drugs. Hormone therapy which is targeted to the affected area is another form of treatment and that also is in pill or intravenous form. Surgery on the breast such as a lumpectomy or mastectomy along with removal of lymph nodes is a common surgical procedure in treating Stage 2.

The survival rate is individualized to each patient and takes into consideration the subtype but is estimated to be 86% for Black women while our Caucasian counterparts is 92%.  That tells me as long as we continue to push early detection, we can increase our survival rate.

Source : National Breast Cancer Foundation