Test 3: Breast and Axilla Assessment Flashcards
Redness and warmth indications:
Inflammation or infection
Mastitis
Abscess
Inflammatory CA
Risk Factors for Breast CA
Age - Older, more likely
Gender - Female more likely
Risk Factors: Personal Family History
- Family member with history of breast CA
- Ashkenazi Jewish Heritage
- African American with breast cancer before 35
- Man in family with breast CA
Risk Factor: Estrogen Exposure
- First period before 13
- Entering menopause after 51
- Using estrogen replacement for more than 5 years
Risk Factors: General
- Never been pregnant or pregnancy after 30
- No breastfeeding
- Higher education and socioeconomic group
- Taller height
- Sitting (more than 6 hours a day)
- Dense Breasts
- High waist-hip ratio
- High fat diet
- Radiation exposure
Mortality Risk Factors
- Poor screening
* Even though breast CA more common in women, the mortality rate is higher in men
Breast Discomfort
Note pattern, onset, duration,severity, character, associated S&S, and contributing and relieving factors
Swelling or lumps
Location, size, changes in surface of breast, mobility, time 1st noted, changes in menses, assoc. S&S
Discharge
Color, consistency, amount, odor, onset/injuries, date of last pregnancy/birth, breastfeeding history, medication (contraceptives may produce a clear discharge)
Equipment needed for PE
Gloves
Small pillow
cm ruler
Glass slide and fixative (for possible discharge)
Skin: Normal
- Pink to dark brown areola/nipple
- Hyper-pigmentation normal if smooth and symmetrical
- Even color
Skin: Abnormal
Redness
Texture (peau d’orange) - Breast looks like orange peel due to swelling
*Focal areas of dark skin or discoloration
Vascularity: Normal
- Symmetrical, diffuse pattern
- Not prominent
- May be easy to see in pregnant or obese women
Vascularity: Abnormal
- Focal, unilateral area of increased venous prominence
* Engorged vessels may indicate feeding a tumor
Moles
Common, ask if recent changes or changes in size and color
Striae
Stretch marks
Normal
Supernumerary Nipple
Accessory nipple
- Occurs along milk like ( like dogs)
- Can grow breast tissue, be painful, change in menses
- Increased risk of breast cancer in this tissue
Breast Size and Symmetry: Normal
Approximate in size and basically symmetrical
Breast Size and Symmetry: Abnormal
*Grossly different in size
Gynecomastia
Large breasts in men or infants
- can secrete milk
- hard disc under nipples
Gynecomastia Causes
- Puberty
- hormone imbalance due to tumor on pituitary, prostate and testes
- Alcohol abuse
- Meds (estrogen, depression, steroid abuse)
- Leukemia
- Cirrhosis of the Liver
Contour of Breast: Normal
Smooth, even, rounded, convex, uninterrupted surface
Contour of Breast: Abnormal
- Retraction (inverted nipple)
- Dimpling (depression on skin)
- Flat on one side - breast do not look round
- Obvious Bulges
Hair: Normal
Women may have dark curly hair on areola
Male may have dense mass of chest hair