Breast cancer classification

Almost 80% of breast tumors are ductal carcinoma. In 10–15% of cases, lobular carcinoma is diagnosed. There is also inflammatory breast cancer, which has a different biological behavior — marked skin and breast redness, swelling and pain, and fairly early metastasis to the lymph nodes.

Breast cancer symptoms

The main symptom of breast cancer is a firm, painless lump felt in the breast. Also a change in breast shape, and a retracted, sunken or altered nipple. Enlarged axillary lymph nodes, discharge from the nipple — especially if it is bloody and expressed from only one breast. Breast pain is not a symptom typical of cancer. Treatment of metastatic (spread) cancer depends on the location of the metastases. Metastases in the lungs and pleura present with cough, shortness of breath, and progressive respiratory failure. Metastases in the liver initially cause no symptoms; later, pain appears and liver failure progresses. With metastases in the skeleton, pain in the affected bones appears. With metastases in the brain, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and neurological symptoms appear.

Breast cancer stages

Stage 0	Tis	N0	M0
Stage 1	T1	N0	M0
Stage 2A	T0,T1/T2	N1/N0	M0
Stage 2B	T2/T3	N1/N0	M0
Stage 3A	T0,T1,T2,T3	N1,N2	M0
Stage 3B	T4	N0,N1,N2	M0
Stage 3C	any T	N3	M0
Stage 4	Any T	Any N	M1

For more on how the stage is determined, read breast cancer stages.

Breast cancer treatment

Breast cancer is treated not with a single method but with a combination of them. The foundation is surgery (excision). Also chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, and targeted therapy. Treatment depends on the extent of the cancer, the stage, and the prognosis. Patients are divided into risk groups to assess the aggressiveness of the disease course and to select treatment tactics. For more detail on risk assessment and specific treatment, see breast cancer treatment.

Breast cancer survival

Stage	5-year survival
Localized stages 0 and I (1), part of II (2)	>99%
Regional remaining II (2) and III (3) stages	~86% (average)
Distant stage IV (4)	~31%

Data from the National Cancer Institute SEER database. This is general statistics on the percentage of patients who survive 5 years after cancer was diagnosed.

Breast cancer causes

Most people still regard cancer as a terrible "lottery" or a blow of genetic fate. But the numbers say otherwise. Although cancer is an old disease — a century ago fewer than 3% of the population had it — today this diagnosis catches up with every second or third person!^[1]). Why? The modern preventive system (mammograms, screening) is an excellent safety net that helps catch the disease early and reach 99% survival. But screening does not prevent the illness itself. It is the same as checking your car tires every day to see whether they are punctured, yet continuing to drive over nails. The prevention system stalls and will keep stalling until people themselves realize that only they are responsible for being healthy — not their doctor, the government, or the companies that make and sell drugs. Now we will discuss the causes of breast cancer (most often it is a combination of them):

- Obesity. Countless studies confirm^[2] that being overweight or obese significantly increases cancer risk. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that overweight and obesity are the most important avoidable cause of cancer after smoking. Adipose tissue is not just a "reserve" — it is an active organ that produces estrogen. An excessive amount of it constantly bombards breast cells, driving them to divide uncontrollably. In obese women, the risk of developing cancer after menopause rises drastically.
- Fast carbohydrates. Or, put differently, glucose (sugar). Medical representatives have long shouted that excessive sugar consumption causes cancer; the truth is somewhat deeper. Excess fast carbohydrates cause spikes of insulin and IGF-1 (growth factor). These hormones act as "fertilizer" for any pre-cancerous cells. A low-carbohydrate diet helps keep these "growth switches" off. This is also reported by a study from the American Association for Cancer Research: "A low-carbohydrate, higher-protein diet reduces the risk of developing cancer and slows or halts the growth of existing tumors"^[3].
- Red (bovine) meat. Studies ^[4] show that high consumption of red meat (beef, lamb) increases the risk of disease in pre-menopausal women by about 22%. Even more dangerous is processed meat (smoked, salted), in which the nitrates directly damage cells. It is better to choose poultry and fish.
- Alcohol and smoking: Group 1 carcinogens. That smoking causes cancer has long been recognized. But alcohol is officially classified in the same group as asbestos or tobacco and is included in the "Group 1" list of carcinogens ^[8], compiled by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Alcohol directly damages DNA and raises the level of estrogen in the blood. Even one glass of wine per day statistically increases breast cancer risk. If you smoke and drink alcohol at the same time, you are not just driving over nails — you are driving over shards of glass. It is included in the first-group list of carcinogens.
- Radiation. What kind of radiation causes breast cancer? Any irradiation: Computed tomography (CT) uses large doses and should be performed only when necessary. Radiotherapy (radiation treatment): ionizing radiation affects the genetic material of cells (DNA), and Mammography uses minimal exposure, but its benefit (early diagnosis) usually outweighs the harm. Still, this is an intervention, and too-frequent ^[5] screening may cause undesirable consequences. True health begins with a lifestyle that would make a mammogram a mere formality rather than a lifeline. We cannot avoid the natural background, but we must weigh the additional risk.
- Estrogens^[6].

What is estrogen?

These are the female sex hormones. Estrogens influence pregnancy, conception, and sex drive, promote formation of the mammary glands, help regulate menstrual cycles, are needed for normal breast development, and so on. In other words, it is the female hormone. Although estrogens are essential for a woman's health (from bone strength to heart protection), their excess or an inappropriate form is a direct path to breast cancer. The problem arises when the body receives too many "foreign" estrogens or is unable to remove its own.

The causes mentioned above increase the amount of estrogen in the body. The amount of estrogen in the body is also increased by:

1. Contraceptives. Modern low-dose pills increase the risk minimally, but long-term use (lasting many years) is still associated with a slightly increased breast cancer risk^[7]. The good news is that after stopping, this risk returns to baseline within a few years.
2. HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy): Therapy prescribed to post-menopausal women (especially combined — estrogen with progestin) significantly increases risk if used for longer than 3–5 years.
3. Chemicals from the environment (and food)^[5], otherwise called xenoestrogens. Quite a few xenoestrogens have been identified: Plastic (Bisphenol A and phthalates): Heated plastic releases compounds that get into food. They act as strong endocrine-system disruptors. Pesticides and food additives: E320, E321, and the dye E127 (Erythrosine) are substances that can mimic the effect of estrogens in the body. Erythrosine (E127) should also be singled out — a red food dye, partially banned in the USA back in 1990, since, according to studies, it caused cancer in mice during experiments (The Washington Post, February 7, 1990). Household chemistry: Nonylphenol and formaldehyde are often found in cleaning products and cosmetics, so a "clean" household without aggressive chemistry is direct cancer prevention.

What to do to recover

Breast cancer survival prognoses, based on statistics, are not very grim, especially in the early stages of cancer. That is why preventive examinations and constant self-examination are very important. But if you were late with prevention — do not despair and do not give up. The probability of successful treatment depends largely on you as well.

Cancer cells know how to send the signal "do not attack me," so your defenses (immune cells) often do not see them. You need natural immuno-modulators, such as Lentinan, to change the immune system's behavior and direct it to attack cancer cells to the maximum. When fighting cancer, you must adjust your diet (feast yourself while starving the cancer) and activate your immunity.

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What can we do in the fight against cancer?

Lentinan — an advanced mushroom-polysaccharide formula with a clinically studied composition, designed to support the immune system during oncological illness.

More about Lentinan AXT →

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Frequently asked questions

What are the early symptoms of breast cancer?

The most common signs are a palpable lump in the breast (painful or not), skin changes (retraction, redness), and nipple discharge or changes in their shape. However, in the early stages cancer often causes no symptoms, so regular preventive screening (mammography) is extremely important.

Can the immune system be strengthened while treating breast cancer?

Yes. Supporting the immune system during treatment is very important, especially with chemotherapy, when the body is weakened. Scientific studies show that certain mushroom-polysaccharide extracts can help activate natural killer cells (NK cells) and macrophages. Specialists recommend choosing concentrated multi-extract formulas, for example, Lentinan AXT from Zenius Labs™.

Is breast cancer hereditary?

Genetics account for only about 5–10% of all breast cancer cases (most often mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes). The majority of cases are linked to lifestyle and environmental factors, so general prevention and early diagnosis are relevant to all women, not only those with a genetic predisposition.

What is the survival rate for breast cancer?

When breast cancer is diagnosed early (stage I), 5-year survival exceeds 90%. However, even after successful treatment a risk of recurrence remains, so long-term strengthening of the body and support of the immune system with concentrated mushroom-polysaccharide formulas remains important.

How can the risk of breast cancer be reduced?

The most important factors are a balanced diet, regular physical activity, maintaining a normal body weight, limiting alcohol consumption, and managing stress. It is also recommended to check your health regularly and to care for a strong immune system.

Cancer — everything you need to know
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Cancer Diet
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