The Spread of Breast Cancer and How to Prevent It

By Dr. Kathleen Ruddy

Breast cancer can be a very scary diagnosis, but it doesn’t have to be a death sentence. Depending on when a patient is diagnosed with the cancer, the way it spreads, and the treatments to prevent it from spreading further are quite different. The stages of breast cancer take into consideration the size of the tumors found in the breast tissue, whether the tumor has spread to the lymph nodes, and if the cancerous cells are found in any other organs (also known as metastasized cancer). It is important to understand the stages of breast cancer and how it spreads in order to know what treatments and lifestyle choices can slow or prevent the cancer altogether.

Stage One

One of the most powerful ways to prevent cancer is early diagnosis. Regular doctor’s appointments can catch abnormal growths and pre-cancerous cells, allowing for treatment before cancer can even start to develop. However, in cases where cancer has begun to develop, catching it at the very early stages is key. About 20 percent of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer learn of their diagnosis at the very earliest stages. Catching cancerous cells in their early stages is very important because detection allows for cells or tumors to be removed with a low chance of any recurrence. Stage one of breast cancer is when a very small tumor or clump of cancerous cells is detected in the breast or lymph nodes near the breast. It is usually scored using the TNM scoring system which evaluates the size of the tumor, the spread of the cancerous cells, and the risk of the cancer metastasizing. Stage one signifies that a tumor has been found, but that there are no cancerous cells or tumors outside of the breast. In order to prevent the spread of Stage one cancer, the tumor needs to be removed, and follow up treatments such as radiation therapy will be recommended depending on the size and location of the tumor.

Stage Two

Stage two is the next stage of breast cancer. This is when many women are diagnosed with the disease. It has three substages: a combination of tumors that are two to five centimeters in diameter, positive or negative lymph nodes, but no metastasis of the cancer is present. Many patients who are diagnosed with Stage two cancer are able to benefit from treatment and recover completely. Most people who are diagnosed with stage two breast cancer are able to fully recover and live cancer free after treatment. The treatment options are very similar to those for patients with stage one breast cancer. Although, if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, the treatment may need to be more aggressive. In order to prevent the spread of breast cancer in stage two, frequent treatments by the doctor and more aggressive treatments including a mastectomy and radiation are needed. Frequent follow-up visits and a healthy lifestyle are also crucial; even if the cancer goes away, the body has undergone a great trauma and can experience other ongoing health issues. Therefore, a healthy lifestyle, proper diet, and exercise daily are very crucial to preventing the occurrence or recurrences of stage two cancer.

DID YOU KNOW?

When looking at mortality rates of breast cancer patients, doctors take into consideration patients who have been cancer-free for five years. The five-year mark is an important step for individuals diagnosed with breast cancer as their chances of the cancer recurring become very slim after five years of being cancer-free.

Stage Three

Stage three cancer is marked by cancer that has not spread far beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes. However, in stage three, the tumor is typically so large that it extends into the chest wall or even into the skin of the breast which makes it more serious than stage two cancer. Stage three is far more serious than stage two, and requires treatment that is much more vigorous.

Chemotherapy is used to destroy cancerous cells, both before and after surgery. Lumpectomies and mastectomies are used to remove the tumor and any cancerous lymph nodes. In addition, radiation and hormone therapies may be prescribed in order to destroy cancerous cells and prevent the tumor from growing or spreading further. Stage three patients may also choose to participate in clinical trials that allow them access to untested, cutting-edge treatments. These can include new drugs, surgeries, treatments, or even new lifestyle choices. Since stage three is quite advanced, stopping the cancer from spreading further must rely on sometimes multiple rigorous and aggressive medical treatments.

Metastasis

Metastasis is the medical term for the spread of cancer. It is defined as cancer traveling from one part of the body to another, which represents a serious growth in the cancer. In breast cancer, this means the cancer has spread from the original tumor to other organs such as the lungs, brain, liver, bones, or even skin. This is often a result of malignant cells traveling through the bloodstream or lymph system. Stage four breast cancer is often called metastatic disease and indicates that cancer is no longer contained in the tumor but is now present throughout the body as well. Metastatic cancer is very serious and many treatments focus on simplifying and improving patients’ quality of life rather than attempting to reach remission.

It is important to remember that the stages of breast cancer encompass many symptoms and wide range of diagnoses. For instance, stage two breast cancer can indicate a larger tumor or that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. These require very different treatments. The experience of every patient when dealing with the spread of cancer and how to prevent it depends on the size and spread of the tumor, the advice of the doctor, and the treatments that are best for that individual person.

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