We teach you how invasive breast cancer can threaten your life and guide you to the key information you need to know to get the best possible treatment.

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LIST OF QUESTIONS FOR YOUR DOCTORS:
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Questions for your Breast Cancer Specialists:

1. What is invasive breast cancer?
2. What type of breast cancer do I have?
3. What is the chance I will die of my breast cancer?
4. What are my receptor results?
5. May I have a copy of my pathology report?
6. Do I qualify for genetic testing?
7. What is invasive breast cancer?

Invasive breast cancer is defined by breast cells that grow abnormally fast and have developed the ability to spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. It can take years for breast cells to slowly develop the genetic changes (mutations) to change from a normal cell to an invasive cancer cell. But once they do, some spread more rapidly and others grow very slowly and may not spread at all beyond the breast. Invasive breast cancer can threaten your life.

“Noninvasive” breast cancer are cells that also grow abnormally fast, but cannot yet spread beyond the breast to threaten someone’s life. Ductal Carcinoma InSitu (DCIS) is an example of noninvasive breast cancer and is generally categorized under “breast cancer” by most organizations. It is covered in our “Noninvasive DCIS” lesson and is more of a “precancerous” condition.

Important facts if you have an Invasive Breast Cancer:

Treatments can cure 90% of all women with breast cancer
The majority of all patients are diagnosed at an early stage
Surgery, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation are treatment options
You have time before choosing a treatment pathway
You may qualify for genetic testing

Types of invasive breast cancer:

Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma is the most common (70%) type of invasive breast cancer. It is called “ductal” because the cancer cells originate from the cells lining the milk ducts. There are many other factors beyond “type” of cancer that are important.

Infiltrating Lobular Carcinoma occurs in less than 20% of patients. It is called “lobular” because the cells originate from the “lobules” of the milk ducts. Lobular cancers are no worse or better than invasive ductal cancers from a survival perspective. There are some unique features of lobular cancers that can affect diagnosis and treatment. Ask you physician how an invasive lobular carcinoma is different from an invasive ductal carcinoma.

Other types: Inflammatory Breast Cancer (5%) is a very aggressive cancer. Colloid and Mucinous (3%) are considered less aggressive breast cancers and carry a lower risk to one’s health. There are other less common types of invasive breast cancer that we have not covered.

What is the chance I will die of my cancer?

Most women just diagnosed with breast cancer have no idea how much of a risk to their life their unique situation poses. Any invasive breast cancer does impart some level of risk to your life. However, this risk is usually less than you would assume.

Why are “receptors” important?

Receptors are tiny proteins on the surface of the cells that act like “light switches” that can turn on and off cancer cell growth. The Estrogen receptor (ER), Progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2 receptor results are incredibly important for you to know and understand. Take our lesson on “My Tumor Receptors” to learn the essentials.

How do you treat invasive breast cancer?

The most common first treatment for early stage invasive breast cancer is surgery, possibly followed by chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and then hormonal therapy. Breast cancer treatment is incredibly complex and there can be many different approaches to the same type of breast cancer. There are some situations that are better treated by “neoadjuvant chemotherapy” as a first treatment rather than surgery. The Breast Cancer School for Patients was created to help you to make the best treatment decisions with your breast specialists in your community.

You may qualify for genetic testing

Invasive breast cancer is known to be associated with the BRCA gene mutation. The BRCA (Breast Cancer) gene is commonly referred to as “The Breast Cancer Gene.” If someone inherits a broken version (mutation) of this gene at conception, they carry a very high lifetime risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Most breast cancers are not the result of the BRCA mutation. In fact, it is estimated that the BRCA and similar genetic mutations cause only 10 to 15% of all breast cancers. It is important to ask your physicians if you meet the guidelines for genetic counseling and testing. Take our “BRCA Genetic Testing” lesson to learn more.