Breast cancer forms in the breast cells, in the lobules or ducts of the breast. There are no significant symptoms in the early stages of the condition. The signs that appear are isolated or a combination of symptoms, depending on how far the disease has progressed. Below is a brief about the symptoms and stages of breast cancer.

Symptoms of breast cancer
Some of the most common breast cancer symptoms that are obvious are as follows:

1. Breast lump
Most often, breast cancer begins as a tumor that is quite small to be felt but may be visible on a mammogram. The most probable sign that can be noticed is that of a hardened lump on the breast.

2. Pain and swelling
Patients may experience pain and swelling on their breasts. These symptoms can cause a lot of discomfort due to the awkwardness of the pain.

3. Nipple changes
Breast cancer is, at times, categorized by a bloody discharge or nipple discharge that is not breast milk. Sometimes women may even have an inverted nipple wherein they retract rather than point out as they normally should.

4. Breast changes
The most apparent changes that women with breast cancer can experience include peeling, scaling, or flaking of the skin and sudden unexplained shape and size changes.

These symptoms could be related to cancer but do not necessarily confirm it as they could be triggered due to other illnesses or conditions in the body. Therefore, it is best to consult a doctor and confirm the diagnosis to get appropriate and timely treatment.

Stages of breast cancer
Breast cancer stages are classified based on tumor growth, the rate of progression, and the spread of cancer. They are broadly classified into the following five stages:

Stage 0
In this nascent stage, the cancer is contained within the breast ducts, without spreading further.

Stage 1
This stage is categorized by 1A and 1B levels. Level 1A is when the cancer is less than 2cms, and the lymph nodes are not affected. The 1B level is when cancer has spread to the lymph nodes with or without a tumor in the breast(s) that is less than 2cms.

Stage 2
The tumor is between 2 to 5cms and has either spread or not spread to the lymph nodes in this stage.

Stage 3
In this stage, there is a wider spread in the lymph node region. Cancer now affects the lymph and mammary nodes and spreads to the immediate surrounding area in the chest or neck.

Stages 4 and 5
This is when cancer has significantly spread and has serious complications.

The above is only an overview of the stages and will require a more extensive study of the patient to be outlined in detail. Each stage requires a targeted approach to treatment to ensure that cancer’s rate of progression can be slowed.