There are numerous classifications of breast cancer, and attempting to understand these different classifications, including Luminal A and Luminal B breast cancer, can be confusing because the way they are classified has changed over the years. Harvard Health Publications (HHP) indicates that the traditional means of classifying breast cancer tumors has been based on three main criteria: the size of the tumor, the rate the cells are dividing, and the incidence of cancer cells present in the patient's lymph nodes.
According to HHP, scientists now have a greater understanding of breast cancer on a molecular basis, which has led to the use of a new system that classifies breast cancer using the following terms: Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2-positive, and basal-Like breast cancers. Understanding the different breast cancer types may lead to a greater understanding of a specific classification such as Luminal A.
Instructions
1. Research the different modern classification types of cancer. Harvard Health Publications identifies four different types:
Luminal A is a common early stage of breast cancer in which the tumors look more like normal tissue compared to other tumor types and have receptors that are progesterone and estrogen positive and HER2-negative. HHP indicates that Luminal A has a low risk of recurrence, whereas HER-positive tumors are considered high risk.
Luminal B is similar to Luminal A in that the tumors also have progesterone and/or estrogen receptors except in smaller quantities. This type is also considered low risk.
HER2-positive tumors are higher-risk tumors than Luminal A and B and have had a number of gene mutations related to the epidermal growth factor.
Finally, basal-like breast cancers are sometimes referred to as "triple negative" in that they have negative readings of progesterone, estrogen, and HER2 but are considered high-risk because they have a tendency to grow rapidly.
2. Contact an oncologist to discuss the research you have done on Luminal A breast cancer and ask questions about anything you do not understand from your research or anything that may not have been thoroughly explained. If you are concerned that you may have cancer, make an appointment immediately.
3. Talk to someone who has been affected by Luminal A breast cancer. If you don't know anyone, look for a support group in your community or online. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation (www.komen.org) has a section of its website dedicated to women who have shared their experiences with breast cancer, and Breast Cancer.org (www.breastcancer.org) has a section of its website called "Community Knowledge" which includes a forum and a chat room where you can ask questions and express your concerns.
Tags: breast cancer, breast cancer, Luminal breast, Luminal breast cancer, progesterone estrogen, because they
