Early breast cancer: a guide for women - Cancer Australia

Features that can affect the chance of breast cancer coming back or spreadingInformation inthe pathologyreportSizeLymph nodes inin the armpitHormonereceptorsThe breast cancer is less likelyto come back or spread if:The breast cancer is more likelyto come back or spread if:Cancer is smaller (less than 2 cm) Cancer is larger (more than 2 cm)No cancer cells in the lymphnodesCancer cells have hormonereceptors and you havehormonal therapyCancer cells in the lymph nodesCancer cells do not havehormone receptorsHER2 Cancer cells are HER2-negative Cancer cells are HER2-positiveGrade Grade of cancer is low (Grade I) Grade of cancer is high (Grade 3)Surgical margin Surgical margin is clear Surgical margin is not clearIf your breast cancer has one or more of the features in the right handcolumn, it does not mean that breast cancer will definitely come back orspread. Talk to your doctor about your individual situation.Questions to ask about your test resultsListed below are some questions about your test results you might want toask your healthcare team.• Where is my breast cancer?• Can I have a copy of my pathology report?• Can you explain my pathology report to me?• Is my breast cancer hormone receptor-positive or HER2-positive?What does this mean for me?• How likely is it that my breast cancer will come back/spread?• Can you write down what you have told me so that I can readit again later?6