What type of cancer?

In 2000, my cancer was ductal carcinoma in situ. It is one of the earliest cancers and is noninvasive, contained within the breast duct. The danger this type of cancer is that if it is left, it can develop into a cancer which can spread. My cancer was a tubular cancer, grade 1 and was just 19mm across.

By 2005, the cancer had developed to an invasive grade II, out of the ducts into the breast tissue itself, but still under 2cm. As previously, I think I've been lucky to catch it before it had spread elsewhere.

Grades of cancer

There are three grades of cancer, with a lower grade indicating slower-growing cancer and a higher grade indicating a faster-growing one.

The stage of of a cancer describes the size and extent of the spread of the tumour. This can range from stage 0 (in situ) to stage 4 when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.