Stages4 min read

Stage 1 breast cancer

Stage 1 is a small invasive cancer, confined to the breast or with minimal presence in a lymph node. It is early cancer — and highly treatable.

At stage 1A, the tumour is no larger than 2 cm and has not reached the lymph nodes. At stage 1B, a few cancer cells may be present in a node, or a tumour up to 2 cm with tiny node deposits.

Typical treatment at stage 1

  • Surgery: lumpectomy or mastectomy
  • Possibly radiation after a lumpectomy
  • Hormone therapy if the tumour is hormone-sensitive
  • Sometimes chemotherapy, depending on the tumour profile

Five-year survival for stage 1 breast cancer exceeds 98%. The word “cancer” carries fear at this stage — but the prognosis is genuinely excellent.

In brief

Tumour up to 2 cm
Little or no node involvement
Survival above 98%

What you can do

Understand your tumour profile

Receptors determine which treatments help most.

Move forward step by step

A clear plan follows biology, not panic.

Keep learning

Stage 0 — carcinoma in situAwarenessStage 2 breast cancerAwarenessLumpectomyAwareness