Understanding a Stage II Breast Cancer Diagnosis

If you’ve been diagnosed with stage II breast cancer (also sometimes written out as stage 2), or know someone who has, you likely have a million questions swirling around your head — but the first one may be, “What does stage II mean?” The most important thing you should know is this: “Any diagnosis of cancer is scary, but stage II breast cancer is a very curable disease,” says Anne Larkin, MD, a breast surgeon at UMass Memorial Health in Worcester, MA. The staging of the cancer is based on several factors, and it helps your medical team advise you about the best course of treatment and provide you with a realistic prognosis, says Dr. Larkin. Note: Every person and case is different. While this is an overview of stage II breast cancer, it's important to ask your doctor and their team any questions you have about your diagnosis, treatment and aftercare. Your mental health is also especially important during this time. Reach out to your physician for a referral to a licensed mental healt...