Breast Cancer Define Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment

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🎗 Breast Cancer

Complete Nursing Note | Early Detection Saves Lives

Definition

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that develops from breast tissue, most commonly from the ducts or lobules. It occurs when abnormal breast cells grow uncontrollably and may spread to other parts of the body.

Anatomy of Breast

• Lobules – milk-producing glands
• Ducts – carry milk to nipple
• Nipple and areola
• Fatty and connective tissue
• Blood vessels and lymphatic vessels
• Axillary lymph nodes

Risk Factors

• Age above 50 years
• Family history of breast cancer
• BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation
• Early menarche or late menopause
• Obesity and physical inactivity
• Alcohol intake and smoking
• Hormone replacement therapy

Types of Breast Cancer

• Ductal Carcinoma In Situ — DCIS
• Lobular Carcinoma In Situ — LCIS
• Invasive Ductal Carcinoma — IDC
• Invasive Lobular Carcinoma — ILC
• Inflammatory Breast Cancer
• Triple Negative Breast Cancer
• Paget’s Disease of Nipple

Signs and Symptoms

• Painless breast lump
• Change in breast size or shape
• Nipple retraction
• Bloody nipple discharge
• Skin dimpling or peau d’orange appearance
• Swelling in axillary lymph nodes
• Breast pain, ulceration, fatigue or weight loss in advanced stage

Diagnostic Evaluation

• Breast self-examination
• Clinical breast examination
• Mammography
• Breast ultrasound
• Breast MRI
• Core needle biopsy — gold standard
• ER, PR and HER2 receptor testing
• CT, PET or bone scan for metastasis

Staging

Stage	Description
Stage 0	Cancer cells confined to ducts or lobules
Stage I	Small tumor, usually up to 2 cm
Stage II	Larger tumor or nearby lymph node involvement
Stage III	Locally advanced breast cancer
Stage IV	Distant metastasis to bone, liver, lung or brain

Management

• Lumpectomy or mastectomy
• Sentinel lymph node biopsy
• Axillary lymph node dissection
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Hormonal therapy — Tamoxifen, Aromatase inhibitors
• Targeted therapy — Trastuzumab for HER2 positive cancer
• Immunotherapy in selected cases

Nursing Management

• Assess breast changes, pain, wound and lymph nodes
• Provide emotional and psychological support
• Monitor chemotherapy and radiation side effects
• Prevent infection and neutropenic complications
• Teach wound care after surgery
• Encourage adequate nutrition and hydration
• Teach lymphedema prevention
• Encourage follow-up visits and regular screening

Breast Self-Examination

Best time: 5–7 days after menstruation. After menopause, choose the same date every month.

• Inspect breasts in front of mirror
• Raise arms and observe for changes
• Palpate breast using circular motion
• Check nipple discharge
• Examine armpits for lumps
• Report any abnormality immediately

Complications

• Metastasis
• Lymphedema
• Infection
• Pathological fractures
• Pleural effusion
• Chemotherapy-related nausea, hair loss and neutropenia
• Radiation skin reaction

Key Point: Early detection, regular screening and breast self-examination can improve treatment outcomes.

Nurses Note 🎗 | Breast Cancer Awareness