Nursing intervention
Explain importance of monthly breast self-examinationEncourage patient to seek medical evaluation if nodule forms, because cystic
disease may interfere with early diagnosis of breast malignancyMalignant Neoplasms: Breast Cancer
Second major cause of cancer death among women. Statistics indicate that 1 in 10 will
develop cancer sometime during her life.
The key to cure is early detection by physical examination, mammography, and breast
self-examination.
Risk factors for Breast Cancer
Female genderIncreasing agePersonal history of breast cancerFamily history of breast cancerGenetic mutations (BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 mutations are responsible for majority of
inherited breast cancer cases)Late menopauseNulliparityHormonal factors: Early menarche, First child after 30 years of age, Hormone
therapy (HT)Exposure to ionizing radiation during adolescence and early adulthoodHistory of benign proliferative breast disease