Beyoncé's mother, Tina Knowles, revealed that she was diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer last year during a routine mammogram. Today, Tina is cured and has placed an emphasis on self-care and the importance of check-ups.
Based on her case, let's talk more about cancer at this stage.
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 “precancer.” However, DCIS has the potential to become invasive (noninvasive – a medical procedure that does not involve inserting devices into the body).
There are generally no symptoms of stage 0 breast cancer, although it can occasionally cause a lump in the breast or bleeding from 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
- have given birth after age 30 or have never been pregnant
- have started menstruating before age 12
- have experienced menopause after age 55
Lifestyle factors can increase the chances of having this condition:
- physical inactivity
- large body size after menopause
- alcohol abuse
- smoking
Due to the lack of symptoms, this stage can only be detected through routine check-ups with specialists.
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