Module 6 Flashcards
Mammary glands lie over the …
muscles of the anterior chest wall
Where do the breast lie?
Horizontally over the sternum to the mid axillary line, and vertically from the 2nd to 6th Intercostal Spaces
What determines the difference in breasts between the genders?
Estrogen and Progesterone
The breasts are a _____ reproductive muscle
accessory reproductive muscle
Functions of the Breast
Milk
Sexual Stimulation
Types of Breast Tissue
Glandular
Fibrous
Adipose
Glandular Breast Tissue
- Functional tissue
-Makes milk - arranged into 15-20 lobes in a circular orientation with 50-75 lobules and 10-100 acini cells producing milk
Acini Cells
Cells producing milk
Fibrous Breast Tissue
The cooper’s suspensory ligaments
Cooper’s Ligaments
ligaments that support the shape of the breast by connecting skin and muscle throughout
Adipose Breast Tissue
Subcutaneous and Retromammary Fat of the breast
Makes up the majority of the breast, determines shape and size, but does not have a functional capacity
How are the mammary ducts constructed to bring milk to the nipples?
lobules, ductules, and lobes converge into a single milk duct that transports the milk
What else is looked at during a breast exam?
The axilla and the lymphatics
What are the sets of lymph nodes examined alongside the breast?
Axillary Lymph Nodes
Clavicular Lymph Nodes
Important Axillary Lymph Nodes to examine in a breast exam?
- Lateral - drains the arm - brachial
- Central - on midaxillary line
- Pectoral - anterior axillary - drains most of the breast
- Subscapular - posterior axillary
The Central Axillary Node…
gets drainage from the other nodes, and a small amount flows into the Clavicular nodes
2 Clavicular Lymph Nodes to Exam
Supraclavicular and Infraclavicular
Concerning Findings in Lymph Node Examination?
Enlargement
Tender or Painful Nodes
Nonpainful Enlargement
Larger than 1 cm enlargement
Nonmoving Lymph Node Mass
Non Modifiable Associations for the Health History Breast Exam
- Things that cannot be changed -
Gender
Age at Menarche
Age at Menopause
Genetics (thought as highly important to risk)
Race/Ethnicity
Family History
Personal History
Previous Chest Radiation
Diethylstilbestrol Exposure
Age During Pregnancies (May be modifiable)
Menstruation and Menopause at what ages cause a higher risk for breast cancer?
Menstruation pre age 12 and Menopause post age 55
DES
Diethylstilbestrol
Now banned medicine for miscarriage in the 1940/50s that has been shown to cause a severely high rate of breast cancer in the daughters of the medication’s user
Modifiable Associations for the Health History Breast Exam
Children
Oral contraceptives
Hormones
Medications
Breast Feeding
Alcohol
Excessive Weight Gain
Physical Activity
Night Light
Children prior to age ____ is thought to be more protective against breast cancer
30
Use of hormone therapy for estrogen and progesterone ____ risk of breast cancer, but cessation of use ____ risk after 2-3 years
increases; decreases
Medications for ____ ____ and ____ can increase breast cancer risk
Breast enlargement and Transgender (breast enlargement)
Breast feeding is ____ against breast cancer
protective
Excessive Weight and Obesity increases estrogen thus leading to …
a higher risk of breast cancer
Physical activity can decrease breast cancer risk by ___%
10
Unclear Associations for the Health History Breast Exam
Night Work
Secondhand Smoke
Dieting and Vitamins
Medications
Environmental
How might night work increase breast cancer rate?
it is unclear and undergoing further study right now, but decreased melatonin levels may be linked to a higher risk of cancer
At the start of the Physical Exam of the Breast it is important to do/keep in mind what things?
- Always provide privacy as it may be embarrassing
- you want to teach the patient on breast awareness and to reassure them (decreases anxiety or embarrassment)
- May need a chaperone (especially if you are a male nurse)
Physical Assessment of the Breast includes what techniques?
Inspection
Palpation
Inspection of the breast should be done in what position(s)?
while sitting and while supine
Palpation of the breast includes what parts and intensity?
Light, Mid, and Deep Palpation
Breast, Axillae (tail of spence and lymph nodes), and Clavicular lymph nodes
Tail of Spence
the prolongation of the upper and outer breast quadrant into the axillary direction (“Axillary Tail”)
Why do we inspect breast in a supine position too?
So the tissue spreads out to see something you may not while sitting
Inspection of the breast occurs in what areas?
Between the 2nd and 6th ribs
Between the sternal edge and the midaxillary line
Inspection of the Breast in a Sitting Position involves the patient doing what things?
Sitting with arms at side
Sitting with arms pressed into waist
Sitting with arms above head
Sitting while leaning forward
Inspection of the Breast in a Lying Down position involves the patient doing what?
Having their arm up next to the ear with a pillow under one side, this allows the breast tissue to spread over the chest wall
What should be observed for during breast inspection?
Size
Shape
Surface Characteristics
Edema
Dimpling
Retractions
Venous Patterns
Areolar and Nipple Characteristics
Tanner Scale
Scale that assesses breast development during puberty and starts usually around ages 8-13 in women
11 years is the average starting age of breast development
If nipples are seen inverted …
ask whether they normally are inverted, if they are then it is not concerning
Montgomery Tubules
lubricate the nipple/areolar region
Peau D Orange
Dimpling of the breast caused by a blocked duct which causes congestion leading to the pitting orange like look of the breast
Pendulous Breasts
occurs due to gravity pulling on the cooper ligaments with age, so you have the patient lean forward to check the ligaments
What sort of things inspected may be concerning?
Thick Area Felt
Dimpling
Nipple Crust
Red or Hot
New Fluid
Skin Sores
Bumps
Growing Venous Patterns
New Sunken Nipple
New Size/Shape
Peel like Skin
Hard Lump
Breast Retractions
When the nipple caves inwards
Venous Patterns in the Breast
each side should generally look the same, but different congestion/venous patterns should be noted as it may indicate malignancy
Concerning Nipple Characteristics
Color not being dark pink to dark brown
Dry Patchiness/Eczema
New Discharge other than when breastfeeding
Green/White or Bloody/Clear Discharge
Unilateral differences rather than Bilateral
Persistent or Spontaneous differences
Paget’s Disease
Aggressive Cancer that can be detected in the areolar and nipple region (but it may be hidden by use of creams)
Green and White Discharge from the Nipple May Indicate…
a cyst
Bloody or Clear Discharge from the Nipple may indicate…
metastasis (cancer)
Reasons for Nipple Discharge
Drugs like oral contraceptives, antihypertensive, and tranquilizers
Hypothyroidism
Pituitary Adenoma
Overstimulation
Benign Cancers (Intraductal papilloma, papillomatosis, duct ectasia)
Malignant Cancer
Supernumerary Breast or Nipple
a non concerning “extra” nipple that may have formed along the milk line
Gynecomastia
- more mamillary density in meds
can be from drugs, hormones, thyroid toxosis, or weight gain
Breast health is for …
EVERY patient, not just female
When palpating the breast…
it is best if they enter the supine position now
use a systematic method
use light and then deep palpation
Most Registered nurses do not…
give breast exams - but it is technically within the scope of practice
Areas to Make Sure you Palpate on a Breast Exam
Tail of Spence
Glandular Area
Areola Area
Nipple Compression (check for discharge, may be advised against at times)
Systemic Methods of Palpating Breasts
Concentric Circles
Spokes of Wheel
Grid Top to Bottom
Compass inward and outward
When discussing a finding on the breast, refer to it in terms of…
a clock face
Abnormal Breast Palpation Findings
Mastitis
Benign and Malignant Masses (Fibroids, Growths, Etc)
Mastitis
Milk duct infection
caused usually by a blocked duct (due to blockage or cancer)
important to know if they are lactating currently, because if not it can indicate cancer
Why should mastitis be treated quickly?
because it can lead to systemic problems
Teach the new mom if they have flu like symptoms like malaise or that they are not lactating to immediately see a provider
Fibrocystic Breasts
Catch all term for many benign breast growth conditions
Swollen, painful, tender, “lumpy bumpy”
often due to hormones or a high caffeine and fat diet
if these are painful, tender, or lumpy they should still be checked for a rare inflammatory breast cancer just in case
Fibroadenomas
Benign Solid Breast Tumors
Oval Shape
rubbery
Mobile
5 mm to 5 cm (huge spectrum)
Rare post-menopause
can grow “overnight”/quickly
large and uncomfortable for the patient
can occur even in younger people
Malignant Mass in Breasts
Hard
Sharp Edges / Irregular Shape
Non-Mobile
Non-Tender (Could be tender sometimes though, see Fibrocystic final point)
Nipple Erosion, Retraction, or Blood Discharge may occur
Enlarged, shrunken, or dimpled breasts may occur with no pain present
51% of Breast Cancers occur in what region?
the upper outer breast region (near the axillary area)
Cancer in the breasts are …
very widespread (many different areas can occur)
Invasive (Infiltrating) Ductile Carcinoma
most common breast cancer
When documenting breast exam findings what things should be included?
Location (in terms of clock face and how far from nipple)
Size (terms of actual measurements)
Shape
Consistency
Mobility of Mass
Tenderness
Erythema
Dimpling over the mass
Depth of the Mass
Ex: 1 cm hard, circular, non-moveable, painless mas noted at 2 O clock, 2 cm from areola in right breast, no erythema or edema noted
Diagnostic Breast Tests
Mammograms
Ultrasounds
Needle Aspirations
Surgical Biopsy
Usually diagnostic breast tests occur between…
patient and provider
Recommended Mammogram Age?
baseline at 35/36 with yearly ones starting at 40, or 10 years prior to a family members diagnosis of breast cancer
Ultrasound
often used in addition to the mammogram to help visualize dense breasts
Needle Aspiration and breast cancer diagnosis
Determines fluid contents of the mass
used depending on lesion type seen and potential risks of this test
Surgical Biopsy and breast cancer diagnosis
Determines whether a mass is malignant
used depending on lesion type seen and potential risks of this test
Breast Awareness should be taught in the patient’s…
early 20s
Most important thing nurses do in regard to breast health?
Patient Teaching of Awareness and Examinations
When should self breast exams be done?
If they no longer menstruate.. choose a day of the month for the exam
If they still menstruate… do shortly after the time of menstruations for a better baseline and less pain
How should the self breast exam be done?
Move in a grid like manner into the axilla
Do it lying down or in the mirror
They may do it themselves or need help from a provider
The overall newer consensus on self breast exams are…
they may not be all that useful, and awareness may be better to teachq