Breast cancer Flashcards
is breast cancer a common cancer?
most common female cancer
what are some of the symptoms experienced with breast cancer?
breast lump (single, firm, non-tender, immovable) nipple discharge nipple inversion skin changes axillary mass
what is done to screen for breast cancer?
mammography
what are the risk factors for breast cancer?
- family history
- oestrogen exposure
- previous breast cancer
- older age
what factor is protective against breast cancer?
breast feeding
what factors can increase a persons oestrogen exposure?
early menarche, late menopause
HRT and oral contraceptive pill
first child >35 years
obesity
what % of cases of breast cancers are associated with BRCA mutations?
5%
what is the most common subtype of breast cancer?
adenocarcinoma, invasive ductal carcinoma
what are the signs of lymphatic involvement of breast cancer?
p’eau d’orange
arm oedema
where does breast cancer commonly spread to in the blood?
bones
lungs
liver
brain
how does breast cancer that has spread to bones present?
bone pain
increased calcium
fractures
how does breast cancer that has spread to lungs present?
dyspnoea
pleural effusion
how does breast cancer that has spread to brain present?
headache
seizures
how does breast cancer that has spread to liver present?
abdominal pain
hepatic impairment
how often is breast cancer screening done?
every 3 years from 50-70
