If you or a loved one has breast cancer, you will often wonder how quickly the cancer grows. It’s difficult to get a direct answer to this question because doctors don’t know when the cancer started. This means it is difficult to know how long it took for the cancer to reach this size, and how much longer it will take to reach the final stage. On Breast Cancer Awareness Day, let us know how long it takes for breast cancer to go from first to third stage and what is the way to prevent it.
How long does it take for breast cancer to spread?
The rate of growth and treatment of breast cancer depends on many factors. Doctors plan treatment based on the nature of the cancer, age, genetic information and stage of the cancer. The earlier the cancer is detected, the more effective the treatment can be. It is therefore very important to carry out regular check-ups and not ignore the first symptoms.
However, research has clearly shown that although more and more cases of breast cancer are being seen these days, they are not increasing any faster than before. On average, breast cancer doubles in size every 180 days, or approximately every 6 months. Still, it’s difficult to say directly how long it takes for breast cancer to progress from the first to the third stage. Because each person’s body and the nature of cancer are different, and because of this, the growth speed of cancer may also be different. Some cancers are more aggressive and grow more quickly, while others grow more slowly.
Also read: From excessive fatigue to weight loss, these are the five major symptoms of cancer.
Factors Affecting Breast Cancer Growth
Subtype: Breast cancer is divided into several types. Some cancers grow quickly, such as triple negative breast cancer, while other types, such as hormone receptor-positive cancers, grow slowly. Your doctor can test the type of cancer to get an idea of how quickly it will grow.
Scene: The stage of the cancer also affects how quickly it grows. In the first stage, cancer occurs only in the milk ducts or lobules, while in the third stage, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. The larger the stage, the greater the risk of the cancer growing and spreading quickly.
Grade: Doctors decide the grade based on how the cancer cells appear under a microscope. Normal-looking cells grow slowly, while abnormal-looking cells can proliferate quickly.
Age: Much research has shown that breast cancer is common in women over 50, but if a woman gets breast cancer at a young age, it can spread more quickly.
Genetic: Genetics plays an important role in cancer growth. Certain genetic mutations, such as changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, can make cancer aggressive and accelerate its growth and spread. If there have been cases of breast cancer in your family history, it is best to get screened.
Ways to prevent breast cancer
Treatment of stage I cancer
Stage I breast cancer is in its early stages and is small. Surgery is the main treatment at this stage. Radiation therapy may be given after surgery to reduce the chance of the cancer coming back.
Treatment of stage II cancer
In stage II, the cancer is larger and has spread to the lymph nodes. Also at this stage, in addition to surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are administered. Doctors may also use genetic testing to decide whether chemotherapy is needed.
Treatment of stage III cancer
In stage III, the cancer is larger and may spread to the skin or muscles. At this point, chemotherapy or hormone therapy may be given before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor. After that, surgery is performed and radiation or other medications are used.
Doctor’s Tips to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer
ABP spoke to Dr Saadia from Muslim Maternity Hospital in Hyderabad. He said there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, but he gave some suggestions to reduce the risk.
Dr. Saadia stressed the importance of maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, maintaining good gut health, being physically active and limiting alcohol consumption. He also encouraged people to get tested regularly. He said that by doing this, tumors that are too small to be felt are detected. Speaking about the importance of regular self-exams, Dr Saadia said examining your breasts regularly makes it easier to detect tumors.
Preventing breast cancer involves adopting a healthy lifestyle and knowing your family’s medical history. If you are genetically predisposed to breast cancer, you can take medication or have preventive surgery to prevent it. The easiest way to prevent breast cancer is to examine your breasts yourself. Women should have this exam regularly after age 30. If you or a loved one is suffering from breast cancer, discuss all these factors with your doctor and get the right information so that appropriate measures can be taken on time.
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