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  • Cancer A-Z

    Whether you or someone you love has cancer, knowing what to expect can help you cope. From basic information about cancer and its causes to in-depth information on specific cancer types – including risk factors, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment options – you’ll find it here.

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  • Cancer A-Z
  • Breast Cancer

Understanding a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, you’ve probably heard a lot of different terms used to describe your cancer. Doctors use information from your breast biopsy to learn a lot of important things about the exact kind of cancer you have. You may also need more tests to get more details, such as the stage of the cancer or how fast it’s growing.

Types of Breast Cancer

There are several types of breast cancer. The type of breast cancer you have depends on where in the breast it started and other factors.

  • Types of Breast Cancer Overview
  • Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)
  • Invasive Breast Cancer (IDC/ILC)
  • Triple-negative Breast Cancer
  • Angiosarcoma of the Breast
  • Inflammatory Breast Cancer
  • Paget Disease of the Breast

Breast Cancer Grade and Other Tests

Doctors use information from your breast biopsy to learn a lot of important things about the exact kind of breast cancer you have.

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  • Breast Cancer Ploidy and Cell Proliferation
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  • Understanding Your Pathology Report

Stages and Outlook (Prognosis)

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, tests will be done to find out the extent (stage) of the cancer. The stage of a cancer helps determine how serious the cancer is and how best to treat it.

  • Breast Cancer Stages
  • Breast Cancer Survival Rates

Questions to Ask About Your Breast Cancer

You can take an active role in your breast cancer care by learning about your cancer and its treatment and by asking questions. Get a list of key questions here.

  • Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Breast Cancer

Connect with a breast cancer survivor

Reach To Recovery

The American Cancer Society Reach To Recovery® program connects people facing breast cancer – from diagnosis through survivorship – with trained volunteers who are breast cancer survivors. Our volunteers provide one-on-one support through our website and mobile app to help those facing breast cancer cope with diagnosis, treatment, side effects, and more.

More In Breast Cancer

  • About Breast Cancer
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  • Understanding a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
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  • Breast Reconstruction Surgery
  • Living as a Breast Cancer Survivor
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