Most of us are not aware what the doctor has even said when we are first told that there is a diagnosis of breast cancer, let alone that there are many types of breast cancer. That is why it is important to feel free enough to ask your surgeon if you can have another appointment (with pen and paper in hand) to ask all of the questions that you need to know or forgot the first time. Some surgeons will call you back if you call and tell them you have some questions. First, there
are many types of breast cancer (I will not even attempt to list them all), and it is possible to have more than one type at the same time. There are also different stages. Knowing the stage is important, as this will help the person and their doctor to decide on the type of treatment needed, and to determine the possibility of the cancer spreading. I cannot stress enough the importance of having two different pathology reports. You can ask your surgeon to have this done. In my first pathology report, the pathologist only saw one type of cancer. My surgeon always requests a second reading, and thank god. The second report that I had, revealed that I had another type of breast cancer that was totally missed by the first pathologist reading.
Cancer can either start in a breast duct, lobule or tissue. The majority of cancers strat in the ducts.
- It can be a solid lump, have projections like an
octopus's tenacles, be cystic or filled with mucous.
- It can be termed aggressive or non-aggressive,
usually, but not always meaning that in the case of aggressive,
the cells are dividing at a rapid rate.
- Cancer tumors can be either estrogen or
progesterone receptive. This means that the cancer cells may be
sesitive to the hormones in your body. If they are it is always
wise to take this into consideration even after therapy,
especially if you are on birth control or your gynecologists
suggests that you take a hormone for another medical treatment.
This test can also help your doctor decide on what type of cancer
therapy may best benefit you.
- Staging is determined by: the size of the tumor, if the lymph nodes are affected, and also if the cancer has spread.
I encourage all who have been
diagnosed, to consider going to a breast cancer support group in your
area. It can help immensley when the one's you are close too are
also suffering from your diagnosis. Please feel free to e-mail me if
you have any questions that I may be able to answer for you, or if
you feel that there is a topic that I should put in my pages. Also,
once again, remember that I am not a physician, but a woman who went
through it. Thanks, Deb