October is the month in which people, institutions, non-governmental organizations, companies and people engage in awareness campaigns for the early diagnosis of breast cancer.
Stage 0 breast cancer, or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), occurs when there are abnormal cells in the milk ducts, but these cells have not spread beyond the duct wall to reach surrounding tissue, the bloodstream, or lymph nodes.
DCIS is noninvasive and is sometimes called "precancerous." There are generally no symptoms of stage 0 breast cancer, although it can occasionally cause a lump in the breast or bleeding in the nipple.
The exact cause of stage 0 breast cancer is not clear, but the condition may be more common in people who:
- have a personal history of breast cancer
- have a family history of breast cancer or genetic mutations
- were born after the age of 30 or have never been pregnant
- had their period before the age of 12
- experienced menopause after the age of 55
Lifestyle factors can increase the chances of having this condition:
- physical inactivity
- large body size after menopause
- misuse of alcohol
- smoking
Due to the lack of symptoms, this stage can only be detected through routine check-ups with specialists.
Sources: Healthline, Women's Health
