An Overview of the Breast and Breast Cancer
This chapter will look at the anatomy and physiology of the normal breast, the incidence and aetiology of Breast cancer, the risk factors of developing breast cancer,The diagnostic pathway, certain characteristics of breast cancer and the staging of breastcancer.
Abstract
Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in women in the UK, with a lifetime risk of 1 in 9 (Cancer Research UK, 2009). Approximately 44 000 women are diagnosed annually in the UK. It is therefore very likely that most nurses will find that they will care for women with breast cancer at some point in their career or will have a personal connection with someone who has breast cancer. Worldwide, breast cancer has a high media and political profile. October is breast cancer awareness month, which is hard to escape anyone’s attention. Magazines, broadsheets and tabloids alike will have articles about breast cancer, people come to work dressed in pink for ‘Wear it Pink’ day, and the shops are adorned with pink ribbons and pink products. With women forming a large proportion of the voting public, breast cancer and breast cancer screening is high on the political agenda. Women are increasingly well informed about breast cancer and its treatments. Therefore, to nurse these women with care and understanding, it is vital to have a good theoretical and practical working knowledge regarding the breast, breast cancer and treatments. This chapter will look at the anatomy and physiology of the normal breast, the incidence and aetiology of breast cancer, the risk factors of developing breast cancer, the diagnostic pathway, certain characteristics of breast cancer and the staging of breast cancer.