What Are the Areas in the Body Where Breast Cancer Can Spread First?
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Get a Better Understanding of Metastatic Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. We can’t say that it’s for women only since there are cases of male breast cancer as well, albeit rare ones.
Breast cancer starts in the breast and then slowly spreads out to other organs. Different types of breast cancer develop and grow at different rates. Since everyone is different, a lot of things affect cancer growth and the speed of its metastasis or spread to other parts of the body.
For some people, metastasis can be as quick as a few months. For others, it may take years before cancer can spread to another organ or body part. There is no predictable behavior that breast cancer follows because it’s a mutation, and mutations do not have a predictable behavior of cell division.
From the original tumor, cancer cells use their host’s body as their mode of transport. They break away from the place of origin and use the bloodstream or lymphatic system to reach other organs. Once they spread to different parts of the body (liver, bones, brains, or lungs), the disease is now called “metastatic breast cancer” or Stage 4. It’s not easy to be diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. It often means the case is already severe and won’t be an easy battle to win for anyone with the disease.
The 4 Areas Where Breast Cancer Can Spread First
There are areas in our body where it’s likely that breast cancer will establish secondary tumors. While it’s not 100% assured because not everyone’s case is the same, cancer experts have identified areas in the body where breast cancer will likely spread first once cancer cells break off from their original location. However, there are also cases where breast cancer spreads to multiple organs at the same time. Below are parts of the body where breast cancer cells will likely spread first:
1. Bones
Once breast cancer spreads to your bones — such as your ribs, spine, pelvis, or the bones in your arms and legs — you’ll probably not notice it. Most patients who have experienced bone metastasis report a new pain that comes and goes at first but then becomes a constant feeling.
2. Lungs
Unlike the bones, if your cancer cells have found their way into your lungs, you won’t likely feel anything at all or even display any symptoms. In the rare cases when symptoms do appear, they’re pretty common ones and it’s hard to tell if it’s due to cancer taking hold of your lungs or if it’s just a regular cold.
3. Brain
Breast cancer cells spreading to the brain will have likely found their way into another body part as well, such as the bones or the lungs. For 17% of women patients, however, the brain is the only area where their cancer has spread. Headaches, memory problems, and seizures are symptoms that may indicate brain metastasis.
4. Liver
Same as cancer spreading in the lungs, cancer cells moving and spreading to your liver are often symptom-less. The metastasis may be picked up by chance from other tests but usually lies undetected unless specifically checked. Symptoms include pain in the mid-section, fatigue, bloating, and loss of appetite.
Help Give Needy Breast Cancer Patients the ‘Miracle’ They Need
Not every breast cancer patient can afford the high cost of treatments and therapies. Those who are uninsured and have little means to get access to treatments find themselves facing an uphill battle to survive. They can only hope for a miracle and the kindness of benefactors.
You can help provide that “miracle.”
Do you have a car that you don’t want anymore, a clunker that’s just rotting away in your backyard or garage? That’s all you need to help save the lives of destitute breast cancer patients. All you got to do is to donate that vehicle to us at Breast Cancer Car Donations.
We’ll sell your automobile through an auction and use the proceeds to support the life-saving programs of our nonprofit partners. These IRS-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations provide their beneficiaries with comprehensive breast health services. These charities provide financially struggling patients with easy access to top hospitals where they can undergo all types of treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment.
These nonprofits also provide breast cancer survivors with follow-up care, including laboratory work, annual mammograms, and free medical checkups five years after remission. Other beneficiaries get to receive free breast cancer screening and prevention and education services.
You’ll also benefit from your charitable contribution since it will entitle you to receive the maximum tax deduction in the next tax season. Moreover, we’ll provide you with our free pickup and towing service. You can get this service wherever you are located in the United States.
The most satisfying reward you’ll get, however, is the awesome experience of doing an act of charity that will help save lives.
You can donate not just a car but also almost any type of vehicle regardless of its condition.
For more information, head over to our FAQs page. If you have any questions, call us at 866-540-5069 or write to us here.
Help Us Save Lives Today!
Photo by Andre Tan under Unsplash License
Team up with us at Breast Cancer Car Donations and let’s help save the lives of underprivileged breast cancer patients in your local area. Your car donation will be a huge blessing for them. Call us at 866-540-5069 or fill out our online donation form now!
Last Updated: March 9th, 2023