The structure of the female breast is complex including fat and
connective tissue, as well as lobes, lobules, ducts and lymph nodes
Glandular tissues: Lobules produce milk and Ducts are small
passages connected to the nipples Nipples: have tiny openings
connected to the ducts that release milk in breast feeding women.
Supporting tissues is made up of fatty tissue and ligaments. They
surround the lobes ducts and blood vessels. Lymph vessels are
connected to lymph nodes under the arms that help fight infections.
Breasts may grow at different rates and be different sizes. Changes
in the breast are not always a sign of a serious problem and most
women experience some changes in their breasts during their lives.
Breast
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A. ducts B. lobules C. dilated section of duct to hold milk D.
nipple E. fat F. pectoral's major muscle G. chest wall/rib cage
Enlargement: A. normal duct cells B. basement membrane C. lumen
(center of duct)
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Female Exam:
Slide 5
Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your
shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. Here's what you
should look for: breasts that are their usual size, shape, and
color. breasts that are evenly shaped without visible distortion or
swelling. If you see any of the following changes, bring them to
your doctor's attention: nipple discharge dimpling, puckering, or
bulging of the skin. a nipple that has changed position or an
inverted nipple (pushed inward instead of sticking out). redness,
soreness, rash, or swelling. Step 1: Self-Breast Exam
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raise your arms and look for the same changes While you're at
the mirror, gently squeeze each nipple between your finger and
thumb and check for nipple discharge (this could be a milky or
yellow fluid or blood). Step 2 and 3: Self- Breast Exam
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Feel your breasts while lying down, using your right hand to
feel your left breast and then your left hand to feel your right
breast. Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few fingers of your
hand, keeping the fingers flat and together. Cover the entire
breast from top to bottom, side to side from your collarbone to the
top of your abdomen, and from your armpit to your cleavage. Follow
a pattern to be sure that you cover the whole breast. You can begin
at the nipple, moving in larger and larger circles until you reach
the outer edge of the breast. You can also move your fingers up and
down vertically, in rows, as if you were mowing a lawn. Be sure to
feel all the breast tissue: just beneath your skin with a soft
touch and down deeper with a firmer touch. Begin examining each
area with a very soft touch, and then increase pressure so that you
can feel the deeper tissue, down to your ribcage. Step 4: Self-
Breast Exam
Slide 8
Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting.
Many women find that the easiest way to feel their breasts is when
their skin is wet and slippery, so they like to do this step in the
shower. Cover your entire breast, using the same hand movements
described in Step 4. Step 5: Self- Breast Exam
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Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer in
females. No one knows what causes breast cancer, so there is little
to prevent it. Over 175,000 women and 1,500 men. Diagnosis: Self
examination, mammography (40) X-ray of the breast, clinical breast
exam doctor, ultrasonography, fine needle aspiration biopsy, core
biopsy (larger needle) surgical biopsy Uncontrollable Factors: 50
years old or older (80% of the cancers in this age group), having
had breast cancer, radiation, family history, early menstruation -
before 12 or late menopause - 55. Controllable Factors: overweight,
alcohol abuse, estrogen replacement therapy, lack of exercise.
Breast Cancer
Slide 10
Signs: Lump in the breast or armpit Puckering of the skin
Unusual change in size or shape or one breast Unusual swelling of
the upper arm Enlargement of the lymph nodes Change in the skin of
the nipple Dimpling of the skin in the breast or nipple Unusual
discharge from the nipple Accentuated veins on the surface of the
breast. Signs of Breast Cancer:
Slide 11
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in
their lifetime. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer
in women. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among
women. Each year it is estimated that over 220,000 women in the
United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than
40,000 will die. Although breast cancer in men is rare, an
estimated 2,150 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and
approximately 410 will die each year Male breast cancer occurs when
malignant cells form in the tissues of the breast Men have breast
tissue that develops in the same way as breast tissue in women, and
is susceptible to cancer cells in the same way Facts: