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Sometimes, cancerous cells spread outside the milk ducts into the surrounding breast tissue, with the potential to spread to other parts of the body. This is called ‘invasive’ breast cancer.
‘Invasive’ breast cancer may be:
- Early breast cancer: The cancer cells are contained in the breast,
and may or may not have spread to the lymph nodes in the breast
or armpit area. Most women who are diagnosed and treated for
early breast cancer survive and do not die from the disease.
- Locally advanced breast cancer: This is breast cancer that is larger
than 5cm and may have spread from the breast into the lymph
nodes or other tissues next to the breast.
- Metastatic breast cancer: This term is used to describe breast
cancer that has spread from the original site in the breast to other organs or tissues in the body.
HOW IT FEELS: Breast cancer changes can feel different in different patients.
Changes which may be cancer include a lump or thickening, a change in the shape or size of the breast, skin changes such as dimpling, persistent localised pain, nipple discharge or nipple change such as retraction.
WHAT YOU NEED: Investigations include clinical breast examination, imaging and biopsy, either FNA or core biopsy. In some cases, ‘staging’ investigations are performed to check for breast cancer that may have spread to other areas outside of the breast such as the bones or liver. These may include a CT scan and a bone scan.
Treatment includes a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and sometimes hormonal therapy. Regular check-ups are recommended after treatment. |
