What is the function of breasts
- Part of reproductive system
- Responds to sexual stimulation and feeds babies
- Exocrine gland – modified apocrine sweat gland
What are the steps in lactation
During pregnancy mammary glands expand out due to hormones
Not developed in males
Myoepithelial cells surround mammary glands and contract on mammary glands to squeeze milk out - ejected through nipple though tiny holes (nipple pores)
Areolar contain areolar glands - secrete oily substance called oily substance to moisturise niiple for breastfeeding and act as “target: for baby
Suspension liigaments keep breast anchored to chest wall
When baby suckles, mechanoreceptors activated send messaged to hypothalamus - sends on signals to send oxytocin (from pros pituitary) - and sends off signal to anterior - prolactin
Need both prolactin and oxytocin
Cascade triggered when baby cries
When do breasts develop?
- Breast Buds in both sexes 6-9th fetal life
- At puberty female breast develops under influence of oestrogen and progesterone
- Asymmetry is common
- Final maturation during first pregnancy
- Regression following menopause
What is accessory breast tissue?
Accessory breast tissue is a relatively common congenital condition in which abnormal accessory breast tissue is seen in addition to the presence of normal breast tissue. This normal variant can present as a mass/nipple anywhere along the course of the embryologic mammary streak (axilla to the inguinal region).
Describe breast anatomy
- 2nd-6th rib
- Sternal edge to anterior axillary line
- 15-20 lobes
- Supported by Cooper’s suspensory ligaments
What is Peau d’orange
Peau d’orange in breast cancer. Oedema limited at dimples by Coopers ligaments
Give some breast cancer facts
- Most Common cancer in Women in UK
- 1 in 8 women
- Over 40,000 cases per year
- Over 10,000 deaths per year
- Screening programme 50-70yrs
What increases the risk of breast cancer
- Woman
- Age
- Family History
- Genetics
- Alcohol
- Obesity
- Radiation
- High socioeconomic class
What decreases the risk of breast cancer?
- First pregnancy before the age of 30
- Breast feeding
- Exercise
- Healthy organic diet?
What are some treatments for breast cancer
Surgery • Breast – Wide Local Excision – Mastectomy • Axilla – Sample – Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) – Axillary dissection / clearance
Adjuvant • Radiotherapy • Chemotherapy • Hormonal Therapy • Monoclonal antibodies
Why has there been an improvement in breast cancer survival rates?
- Cultural – patients present earlier
- Screening?
- Team working
- Anti oestrogens (Tamoxifen)
- Other drugs ?
What is the breast screening programme
- Launched in 1988
- First of its kind as a National Screening Programme
- 3 yearly cycle
- Initially 50-70 years
- Recent age extension to 47-73
