Case 14- breast disease and SAP Flashcards
Gender identity
An individuals sense of having a particular gender
Gender expression
The ways we show our gender to the world around us
Gender dysphoria
The sense of unease or discomfort that a person may have because of a mismatch between their anatomical sex and their gender identity
Transgender
Someone whose gender identity does not correspond with the sex they were assigned at birth
Nonbinary
A person who identifies or expresses a gender identity that is neither male nor entirely female
Transphobia
Irrational fear or, aversion to or discrimination against transgender people
Cissexism
A system of attitudes, bias and discrimination in favour of a cisgender identity
What are transgender people more at risk of
Alcohol or substance abuse, violence, sexual assault, depression, stress, suicide and delayed cancer diagnosis.
How to make transgender people feel safe in a consultation
- Use correct name and pronouns
- Make the environment gender neutral and LGBT friendly (poster)
- Explain what you are doing
- Preferred term (chest, breast)
- Put the patient in the ward that matches their gender- or ask
- Discuss gender in a private room
How to increase cervical screening uptake
- Gender neutral material for trans men
- Education for healthcare providers on gender and sexuality
- Gender neutral spaces
- LGBT specific services
Differentiating between benign and Malignant breast lumps
Difficult to tell on examination. Benign breast lumps are normally mobile, smooth with regular borders. Malignant breast lumps are hard, have irregular borders and may be fixed to underlying structures. Usually requires specialist assessment for diagnosis.
Other features of Malignant breast disease
1) Skin or nipple changes
2) Symptoms of metastatic disease
Diagnosing malignant breast disease
Triple assessment
- Clinical assessment by specialist- decides if more tests are required
- Radiological assessment- by US or/and mammography, US is more common in younger patients because of increased density of breast tissue.
- Histological assessment- fine needle aspiration/core biopsy. Analysed under a microscope.
List of Benign breast conditions
1) Fibrocystic breast disease
2) Fibroadenoma
3) Fat necrosis
4) Lipoma
5) Breast cysts
Fibrocystic breast disease
Breast lumps, tenderness and pain can appear around your period (commonly the week before). Due to fibrous tissue in the breast, the lumps can be fluid filled i.e. breast cysts. When it is an issue its fibrocystic changes. 20-50 age group. It is a nodular or thickened area of the breast tissue separate from the rest of the breast
Fibroadenoma
Most common benign breast condition, seen in women in their 20s. Grow to 2-3cm. Soft, well circumscribed and painless. Highly mobile lumps. If the fibroadenomas are multiple or complex its associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
Fat necrosis
Benign inflammation of fat cells causing palpable lumps. Occurs in larger breasts normally due to trauma (accidental or instrumental). On the breast tissue there may be bruising, erythema, dimpling or signs of trauma over the area of the lump. The lump is usually painless. Looks similar to breast cancer, may need biopsy.
Lipoma
Benign tumour of fat cells, found in the neck, abdomen and breast. Soft, well-circumscribed, smooth and non-tender. Found superficially just under the skin
Breast cysts
Develop from the terminal duct lobular unit. Common in pre-menopausal women in their 30s/40s. Difficult to distinguish from malignant lesions. They are fluid filled, round, palpable masses, which can become painful and may require aspiration. Similar to breast abscesses but without infective symptoms and tenderness.
Non-modifiable risk factors for breast cancer
- The sex hormones oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Any factor which increases these hormones can cause breast cancer.
- Female sex
- Long interval between menarche and menopause (early menarche <12, late menopause>55)
- Age >50, uncommon in under 40s
- Radiation (radiotherapy, CT scans)
- Family history, risk increases with number of family members and if they got it at a young age.
- Genetic mutations i.e. BRCA 1 or 2, p53 gene. Personal history of some cancers and hyperplasia in the breast.
- Geographic location i.e. Europe, north America, Australia
Modifiable risk factors for breast cancer
- Lack of physical activity
- Older age at first time of pregnancy (>30). Nulliparous (not having kids).
- OCP/ HRT- remains high even after stopping medication
- Obesity- fat tissue increases oestrogen levels
- Alcohol intake
Protective factors for breast cancer
Having lots of children and breast feeding, because they disrupt normal hormone levels
Two types of breast cancer
Carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma
Carcinoma in situ
Cancerous cells are found in the structure of the breast i.e. the ducts (DCIS) or lobules (LCIS). Have not breached the basement membrane or spread into the rest of the breast tissue. Not malignant.
Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS)
Abnormal cell growth confined to the lobules of the breast, diagnosed on biopsy. Increased risk of future invasive breast cancer. Dependent on type of LCIS increased monitoring or surgical removal may be required.
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Abnormal cell growth confined to the ducts of the breast. Can present with breast lump or nipple discharge or be found incidentally. Can become invasive if not removed, surgery is the main treatment.
Invasive Breast carcinoma
Have breached the underlying basement membrane. Can metastasize to other areas of the body. Most common breast invasive carcinomas arise from the epithelial lining of the ducts.
Paget’s disease of the breast
Cancer of the aerola/ nipple complex which is associated with an underlying carcinoma in situ or invasive breast cancer. It presents as an eczematous lesion of the nipple or areola, which may have an underlying palpable lump.