Breast Cancer
When should a patient be instructed to complete a self breast exam?
5-7 days after menses starts
What area is the most common for breast cancer?
Upper outer Quadrant and axilla
What is the first question you might ask when completing the health history for a breast exam?
have you have any changes to your breast?
What characteristics of a lump might indicate breast cancer?
Hard, nontender, irregular, poorly circumscribed nodules, fixed to the skin or underlying tissue strongly
A nurse instructing a patient on self exams should tell the patient to be in what position?
Laying down supine with arm behind head/they might also stand up and look in mirror with hands on hips
firm disc of glandular enlargement caused by imbalance of estrogen and testosterone
gynecomastia
What are small indents in the breast tissue?
dimpling
After a mastectomy, it is important to palpate the scare gently for?
masses or nodules
What are 4 positions for assessment of breast?
1. arms at side
2. arms over head
3. hands pressed again hips
4. leaning forward
What is it called when the nipple is pulled inward? If this a recent change what might it indicate?
retraction/breast cancer/malignancy
What are modifiable risk factors for breast cancer?
If you have a patient who completed a self breast exam at home and they come to clinic stating they found a new lump what happens next?
nurse will get a referral for provider
What lymph nodes in the axilla are most commonly felt? What if felt might indicate abnormality/infection?
Central nodes/ a lymph node greater than 1cm
- what medications are you taking
- when was your first menses
- have you been pregnant
- what age did you first experience menopause
- do you have any history of Breast/reproductive cancer?
What are nonmodifiable risk factors for breast cancer?
A nurse should instruct a patient to complete a self breast exam by using what techniques?
light, medium, and deep palpation; use the finger pads of three middle fingers
1. patient is supine with hand behind head
2. use the pads of the three middle fingers
3. complete in vertical stripping pattern
4. use light, medium, and deep pressure
5. move lateral to medial
6. make sure to check axilla and nipples
What characteristics of menses/menopause/pregnancy might put you at risk for breast cancer?
-early start of menses
-delayed menopause
-first baby after 30