Breast cancer is found in one out of every eight women in the United States, according to MedlinePlus. The cancer usually starts in the milk-producing ducts of the breast and spreads to breast tissue and then other organs and tissues.
Stages
Breast cancer is considered to be localized if it has not spread beyond the breasts and/or the lymph nodes near the breasts. During stages 0, 1 and 2, breast cancer is considered to be localized.
Symptoms
People with early-stage breast cancer often have no symptoms. Some individuals may experience nipple discharges, a lump in the breast, red or swollen skin around the breast or nipple and/or breast pain.
Diagnosis
During a clinical breast exam, a doctor examines your breasts for lumps and other abnormalities. A mammogram is a test that uses x-rays to look for small lumps in the breasts, which can be difficult to find during a self-exam.
Surgery
Early-stage breast cancer is often treated with surgery, during which a doctor removes a tumor in the breast or the entire breast and/or lymph nodes.
Radiation Therapy
After surgery, a patient with breast cancer often undergoes radiation therapy, which uses x-rays to kill cancerous cells.
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