Physical Assessment Case Studies

Generally speaking, throughout the United States, Cancer is a public health concern that has a significant impact amongst both men and women. At the same time, Breast Cancer indicates development of a tumor from cells in the breast known as a malignant tumor. Breast Cancer can begin at two different points, either the cells of the lobules, that are milk-producing glands, or the ducts, a channel draining milk from the lobule to the nipple (“What is Breast Cancer,” 2016). Specifically speaking about Breast Cancer among women, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2016), it is the most common cancer, regardless of ethnicity or race. Under those

Early detection by screening for breast masses involves a three pronged approach: mammography, breast self-examination, clinical breast examination. Women should have a baseline mammography screening beginning at the age forty. Women who are at a high risk for breast cancer should have a yearly exam beginning at age the age of thirty. A mammography is an X-ray that allows health care professionals to examine the breast tissue for any suspicious areas. Mammograms can often show a breast abnormality before it can be self-detected. The clinical breast exam is performed by a healthcare professional that is trained to recognize different types of abnormalities and risk factors. The clinical breast exams are conducted in-office, typically completed by a family physician or gynecologist at your annual exam. A self-breast exam is something women should do once a month at home. Breast self-exams help you become familiar with how your

Preventative measures for breast cancer include mammograms, self-examination, diet, exercise and avoiding exposure to cancer causing chemicals. A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast to detect any abnormal masses in the tissue (See appendix B). A self-examination or clinical breast exam is the use of hands to feel for lumps, pain or changes in size (Center of Disease Control & Prevention, 2016). According to the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (2016), women ages 50 to 74 are recommended to undergo mammography screenings twice a year. Women under the age of 50 are recommended to self examine their breast and undergo

Statistics state that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer in their lifetime. Though Breast Cancer is diagnosed most commonly in women, there is a risk for men as well. Non-Hispanic white women have the highest

Preview: When finding out about breast cancer, most people first like to know How did you know? Or What did you feel? In other words the 1st signs. Next they would ask what stage you’re at? Then they would help you make a decision whether you’re planning to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy. Lastly they would like to know your treatment plan, chemo, radiation,

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. In 2008, more than one million women underwent a diagnostic evaluation for suspected breast cancer. Approximately 182,500 women of the more than one million that received an evaluation also received a positive diagnosis (Montgomery, 2010). Risk factors linked to Breast Cancer include: gender, age, family history, prior breast cancer, previous biopsy, race and ethnicity, breast density, and long menstrual history because of prolonged hormonal stimulation. Modifiable related risk factors also include hormone replacement therapy, alcohol, weight, and physical

One of the main stages in detecting breast cancer is self-examinations, as this allows the patients to identify suspicious lumps and to go see their GP, who will then refer them to a medical oncologist. Routine screening(most commonly as mammograms) is a system put in place to detect cancer at early stages as there is a long growth period before the symptoms start to show, this is also known as the detectable preclinical phase.(Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer Series: Breast Cancer) There are two types of mammograms: screening and diagnostic. Diagnostic mammograms show a more detailed x-ray of the breast and can show the exact location of the abnormality. Screening mammograms are usually aimed at

Having any of the symptoms in the breast should result in seeing a doctor to fully understand what is going on, and why it is happening.

In addition, there are more than 18 other sub-types of breast cancer. Some cancers develop from pre-invasive lesions such as ductal carcinoma in situ. The diagnosis of breast cancer is confirmed by taking a biopsy of the concerning lump. Once the diagnosis is made, further tests are done to determine if the cancer has spread beyond the breast and which treatments it may respond to.

8 Carefully feel your breasts for lumps and changes. It is best to do this while lying on your back on the floor and again while sitting or standing in the shower or tub and with soapy water. Feel each breast in the following way:

Breast cancer is a type of cancer where a malignant tumor is formed in the breast, which continually grows and infects the surrounding tissues [1]. This type of cancer is the most common type of cancer found in women. On average about 26% of women developed breast cancer in 2015 [2]. There are multiple signs and symptoms that can help one become aware if they have the disease. The most prominent key feature is the presence of a lump in your breast or armpit. Such signs may be indicative of breast cancer. In addition changes in the breast and the skin around it are also good indicators. So if the skin around your breast as well as the surrounding nipple becomes puckered or dimpled, it is recommended to go and consult a physician. The inverting or crusting of the nipple may also present as symptoms. However, these are all early onset signs. If the cancer has been in your body for a longer period of time, one might experience things such as bone pain, nausea, weight loss, shortness of breath etc. This is usually an indicative point that the cancer has spread to different parts of the body. If the cancer continues to persist in the body without treatment, it can result in various detrimental effects. The symptoms one may already have are likely to worsen with the addition of new symptoms. Though every cancer differs in its effects and symptoms, the ideology behind it remains the same in that the body is unable to control cell division. Therefore, the cancer will continue to grow

Breast Cancer risk assessment tools are tools to estimate personal risk factors and estimating the chance of developing breast cancer over a period of time (e.g. 10 years), or over your lifetime. There are several reliable online tools available to help you to understand breast cancer risk and inform your decision-making about breast cancer risk reduction .Still no tool can predict whether or not you will develop breast cancer. However, risk assessment tools can help you gain a more thorough understanding of what breast cancer risk factors . These tools have strengths and limitations. Most importantly it is clear that the tools only provide an estimation of risk based on the risk factors it assess.

In United Kingdom, breast cancer is the most common cancer. In 2013, there were around 53, 400 cases diagnosed in females and 340 cases diagnosed in males (Cancer Research UK, 2013). The survival rate is five years or more for almost all women with breast cancer diagnosed at an earlier stage, as compared to three in twenty women with breast cancer diagnosed at the latest stage. Breast cancer is the second most common cause of death in females after lung cancer. The risk factors of breast cancer are due to lifestyle and other risk factors. Lifestyle factors include obesity, diet, alcohol consumption and occupational exposures such as ionizing radiation. Other risk factors include age, genetics, oral contraceptives and certain hormone replacement therapy.

According to the American Cancer Society, Each year, more than 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer; furthermore Twelve percent of all women will contract the disease, and 3.5% of them will die from breast cancer (American Cancer Society, 2005). There are risk factors that may lead to breast cancer. There are 4 stages of breast cancer and several treatments, although treatments vary from types and stages of breast cancer. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women who are 40 to 55 years old (Breast Cancer, 2009).Cancer occurs when cells divide uncontrollably. It changes from a normal cell to cancerous cells that require gene alterations. Therefore the altered genes and the uncontrolled growth may lead to tumors.

Breast cancer accounts for one third of all new cancer diagnoses in the United States (Cauley, et al., 2007). The first sign in the process of this disease is a lump that forms around the breasts. For this reason, it is necessary to get the yearly mammograms once a woman reaches a certain age. Also, monthly self-examinations can aid in finding breast cancer early. If this condition is found early enough, chances of survival are abundant. Most women who get breast cancer are older than 50 with 86% of the deaths occurring in this age group (Cauley, et al., 2007). Postmenopausal women have a higher risk for breast cancer, because the risk increases when levels of endogenous estradiol rise (Cauley, et al., 2007). Breast cancer is the most common cancer that occurs in women. This epidemic has a higher incidence rate among white women than in African American women, but African American women have a higher mortality rate (Breast Cancer Risk Factors, 2010). White women are more apt to develop this disease than any other ethnicity. However, in women under 45, breast cancer is more common in African American women (Breast Cancer Risk Factors, 2010).