Question

Case study 1

A 55 year old woman presents with a painless lump in her breast. She feels the lump is new. On examination, she has a hard mass in the upper outer quadrant of the breast.

1. With regard to the risk of breast cancer, what are the 3 most important facts given in the history?

2. Does breast cancer only occur in females?

3. Why is her age important?

4. What are the next most important questions to ask?

5. What specific factors are important to look for in the examination?

6. What should you feel for on palpation?

Answer 1

Answer: The factors that increases the risk of breast cancer are:

• Genetic reason.
• Poor lifestyle
• Age

Breast cancer occurs in both in men and women. But the rate of the breast cancer in women is most common. Usually only 2% of the male are prone to breast cancer in comparison to females.

Age plays major role in the development of breast cancer because after menopause hormonal changes occursoccurs. Hence due to mutations in certain genes, breast cancer occurs.

Question that need to be asked such as:

• Does patient have any family history of having breast cancer.
• Lifestyle of the patient
• Consumption of alcohol and smoking etc.