Sign and Symptoms:

Cause/ Contributing Factors:

• New lump in the breast
• Female gender
• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
• Increasing Age
• Personal history of breast cancer • Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
• Family history of breast cancer • Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
• Genetic mutation Diagnosis: • Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
• Early menarche • Nipples discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
• Exposure to ionizing radiation Breast cancer • Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
• Obesity
• Breast Density • Pain in any area of the breast.
• High Fat diet
• Low fiber diet
• Alcohol Intake
• Cigarette smoking

Treatment:
• Non-surgical management:
o Radiation therapy
o Chemotherapy
o Hormonal therapy
• Surgical management:
Potential Complications:
o Lumpectomy
Diagnostic Tests: • Lymphedema o Segmental Mastectomy
• Mammogram • Hematoma/seroma o Simple Mastectomy
• Ultrasound formation o Radical Mastectomy
• MRI • Infection Nursing Interventions:
• Biopsy • Monitor for adverse effects of radiation therapy such as fatigue, sore throat,
Laboratory tests: dry cough, nausea, anorexia.
• CBC, Urinalysis, Nak det, CBG, BUN • Monitor for adverse effects of chemotherapy; bone marrow suppression,
and creatinine. nausea and vomiting, alopecia, weight gain or loss, fatigue, stomatitis, anxiety,
and depression.
• Realize that a diagnosis of breast cancer is a devastating emotional shock to the
woman. Provide psychological support to the patient throughout the diagnostic
and treatment process.
• Involve the patient in planning and treatment.
• Describe surgical procedures to alleviate fear.
• Prepare the patient for the effects of chemotherapy, and plan ahead for
alopecia, fatigue.
• Administer antiemetics prophylactically, as directed, for patients receiving
chemotherapy.
• Help patient identify and use support persons or family or community.
• Suggest to the patient the psychological interventions may be necessary for
anxiety, depression, or sexual problems.
• Teach all women the recommended cancer-screening procedures.