If you have breast cancer, the severity of your condition will be categorized into one of four stages. According to the American Cancer Society, if you have Stage 1 breast cancer, you have a 100 percent chance of survival. Survival rate is at 81 to 92 percent if you have Stage 2 breast cancer. Women with Stage 3 breast cancer have a 54 to 67 percent chance of survival. Stage 4 breast cancer has a 20 percent survival rate.
The Four Stages
Stage 1 means that your tumor is less than 2 centimeters in diameter. In this stage, the tumor also has not spread to the lymph nodes and there is no metastasis. This means the cancer has not spread to your organs or the lymph nodes that are not next to your breast.
If you have Stage 2 breast cancer, the tumor is between 2 and 5 centimeters in diameter and has either not spread to the lymph nodes or has only spread to the lymph nodes on the same side of your body as the tumor. Also, the cancer has not metastasized.
Stage 3 breast cancer means that your tumor is larger than 5 centimeters in diameter and has spread to the lymph nodes on the same side of your body as the breast with the tumor. The cancer has not metastasized.
If your cancer has metastasized, meaning the cancer has spread to your organs or lymph nodes that are not next to your breast, than you have Stage 4 breast cancer.
Catch it Early
The best way to survive breast cancer is to catch it early. According to the National Cancer Institute, pain, thicker skin, discharge from your nipples, or a change in your breast's size or shape can be symptoms of breast cancer.
Perform a breast self-exam (BSE) if you are 20 years old or older. Giving yourself a BSE on a regular basis allows you to get to know how your breasts normally look and feel. By being familiar with your body, you can catch any change when it happens and report it to your doctor immediately. The American Cancer Society provides a manual on performing a BSE. Get into the habit of performing a BSE before you shower or go to bed. They don't take long.
Get mammograms every year or every other year if you are 40 or older. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast which can be used to detect tumors. Consult your doctor about starting mammograms before age 30 if you have a higher risk of getting breast cancer. The National Cancer Institute provides a list of 12 reasons you could be at a higher risk, including family history.
Never be afraid to get a second, third, fourth, or fifth opinion. If you feel a lump and your doctor thinks it is nothing to worry about, you can always get a second opinion, even if the mammogram results come back negative. Doctors are not infallible and this is your life on the line, not theirs.
Fight Back
After being diagnosed with cancer, there are ways to improve your odds while receiving treatment. It's important to stay positive and laugh as much as possible.
Join a breast cancer support group to learn coping mechanisms like relaxation exercises. Set up a support system of family and friends. Try to exercise. Or, purchase all the episodes of "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson to enjoy a good laugh. According to a 2008 study published in Medical News Today, patients who had psychological support throughout their treatment improved their chances of survival by 60 percent and were 45 percent less likely to have their cancer return.
Change your diet. According to Cornell University, there are two promising studies that show a change in diet while receiving cancer treatment can increase your chances of survival by as much as 50 percent.
The first study showed that women with breast cancer Stages 1 through 3 who consumed the largest amounts of poultry, total protein, fish, dairy, calcium, fiber and vegetables significantly increased their chances of survival over the women who consumed the least amounts of these foods and nutrients. Women who consumed large amounts of hydrogenated oils, found in processed baked foods, had a higher death rate.
The second study found that postmenopausal women with breast cancer in Stages 1 through 3 who consumed more vegetables and Vitamin C from food increased their chances of survival.
Remember, don't ever give up. Believe in your own recovery.
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