"Your mammogram looks suspicious for breast cancer." These are indeed some of the most terrifying and upsetting words a woman can hear coming from the lips of her physician. Those words elicits many fears including those relating to surgery, loss of body image and the loss of her sexuality. It is only by doing some thorough research on the subject that she will be able to make the best decision about her care.

Introduction

The most common cause of all cancer in women is breast cancer, and it is the 2nd most common cause of cancer-related deaths in women here in the United States. It is a fact that most new cases among women are diagnosed due to the result of some abnormality on the mammogram. Another warning sign can be a change in the consistency of breast tissue. That is why it is so important to do a monthly self-exam. How many of us women take the time to do that? I will be the first to point a finger to myself. In the past decades, there has been a heightened awareness of the risk of getting this type of cancer so many more women are getting mammograms. However, these type of cancer are the leading causes of death in women from the ages of 45 - 55.

Research about the causes of has yielded new information that genetic and/or hormonal factors are the main risk for this disease. They have different stages in order to ascertain just how far the cancer has spread. These are the different stages of breast cancer:

Stage 0 - carcinoma in situ which means it is only in one spot

Lobular carcinoma in situ. This means that abnormal cells have been found in the lining of one of the lobules. LCIS usually does not become an invasive cancer. However, it may be common to have LCIS in both breasts.

Ductal carcinoma in situ or DCIS. This means that abnormal cells have been found in one of the duct linings. This is also known as intraductal carcinoma. If not treated, this type of cancer can become invasive.

*Stage I- early stage of breast cancer that is invasive. The tumor is only about ¾" across. This means that cancer cells have stayed within the breast.

*Stage II - The tumor is only about ¾" but has spread to underarm lymph nodes. The tumor measures ¾" to 2", and may have spread to underarm lymph nodes. The tumor is larger than 2" and may have spread to underarm lymph nodes.

*Stage III is advanced cancer that has been localized. It is divided into Stage IIIA, IIIB and IIIC.

*Stage IV is known as distant metastatic cancer. This means that it has spread to other body parts. WEB MD: Click here for more information on breast cancer.

What are the symptoms?

Common symptoms of this type of cancer include: A change in how the nipple or breast feels--A thickening or lump in the underarm area or in or near the breast--Nipple tenderness--A change in how the nipple or breast looks--A change in the shape or size of the breast--A nipple that is turned inward into the breast--The areola, skin of the breast or the nipple may be red, scaly or swollen.It may resemble an orange's skin--Nipple discharge.

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