October 16, 2021 Issue, Page 12 of 18

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12 October 16, 2021 What is Breast Cancer? Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. Cancer is a broad term for a class of diseases characterized by abnormal cells that grow and invade healthy cells in the body. Breast cancer starts in the cells of the breastas a group of cancer cells that can then invade surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body. The role of staging when What Causes Cancer To Develop? Cancer begins in the cells which are the basic building blocks that make up tissue. Tissue is found in the breast and other parts of the body. Sometimes, the process of cell growth goes wrong and new cells form when the body doesn’t need them and old or damaged cells do not die as they should. When this occurs, a buildup of cells often forms a mass of tissue called a lump, growth, or tumor. Breast cancer occurs when malignant tumors develop in the breast. These cells diagnosing breast cancer can spread by breaking away from the original tumor and entering blood A cancer diagnosis can be Breastcancer.org notes that ing breakdown, courtesy of vessels or lymph vessels, which branch into tissues throughout the body. overwhelming, and people three clinical characteristics, the NCI, is a brief descrip- When cancer cells travel to other parts of the body and begin damaging who receive such news may referred to as “T, N, and M,” tion of the five stages of can- other tissues and organs, the process is called metastasis. be flooded with a wide range are used to calculate the stage cer (stages O through IV). A of emotions. When deliver- of the cancer: more detailed description of ing such a diagnosis, doctors + the size of the tumor and breast cancer stages can be share vital information about whether or not is has grown found at https://www-breast- ae WA their patients’ disease. Those into nearby tissue (T) cancer.org/symptoms/diag- ( details can go a long way to- + whether the cancer is in nosis/staging. ward easing patients’ con- the lymph nodes (N) + Stage 0: This is diagnosed cerns. when abnormal cells are pres- DETECTION =. KEY + whether the cancer has Staging is an important spread, or metastasized, into ent but have not spread to component of cancer treat- other parts of the body be- nearby tissue. Stage 0 is also ment. The National Cancer yond the breast (M) called carcinoma in situ, or Institute notes that stage Additional characteristics CIS. CIS is not cancer, but it FACT: 63% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized refers to the extent of the were added to the AJCC’s may become cancer. cancer, including how large TNM breast cancer stag- + Stages I through III: Can- stage (there is no sign that the cancer has spread outside of the tumor is and whether or ing system in 2018. Though cer is present in these stages. the breast), for which the 5-year survival rate is 99%. not it has spread, or metas- this has made determining ‘The higher the number, the tasized. Learning the stage the stage of breast cancer larger the tumor is and the When it comes to of the cancer, which is typi- more complex, Breastcancer. more it has spread into near- cally expressed on a scale of org notes that it’s also made by tissues. IIIFIRE Fire Extinguisher sales. 0 through IV, helps doctors staging more accurate. That + Stage IV: The cancer has service, maintenance, understand how serious the improved accuracy increases spread into distant parts of S SAFETY and inspections we cancer is and the patient's the likelihood that doctors the body. are your full-service chances of survival. Staging will choose the most effec- Staging plays an important company. As a also is used to plan treat- tive treatment plan for their role in treating cancer. Recog- ments and potentially iden- patients, which should ease nizing the role of staging can full-service fire tify clinical trials that may those patients’ concerns as help patients better under- protection company, serve as treatment options. they begin treatment. stand their disease and the UCH: 420 We can address The American Joint Com- Staging is complex, and direction of their treatments. (580) 799-3185 all your fire mittee on Cancer oversees the breast cancer staging system patients should know that staging alone does not dic- More information about staging is available at www. protection needs. and utilizes the TNM system. tate prognosis. The follow- cancer.gov. n yh rino cure FACT: Women who get regularly screened for reast cancer have a 47% lower risk of dying om the, disease compared to those who don't. 980-225-6554 918 N. Van Buren One of the largest metal Elk City, OK 73644 suppliers between OKC and Amarillo www.janningwelding.com