Information Applicable to All Algorithms
Breast Cancer Diagnostic Algorithms for Primary Care Providers
(Third Edition, June 2005)
Health History and Assessment of Risk
Significant factors to be elicited in the woman’s health history include:
- current symptoms of nipple discharge
- breast mass
- axillary mass
- skin dimpling
- ulceration
- inflammation
- non-cyclical pain
Other factors include:
- current medications (including hormonal therapy)
- a history of previous breast cancer
- any prior breast biopsies
- history of breast implants or breast reduction
- age at menarche and menopause
- pregnancy and lactation history
- age at first live birth
- exposure to radiation
- a history of breast trauma
- a family history (maternal and/or paternal) of breast, ovarian or other associated cancers including age at diagnosis.
For more specific information on risk assessment, see the
Assessment of Risk Algorithm page.
The history should also include:
- the date and results of the last clinical breast examination
- screening mammogram
- ultrasound or other diagnostic procedures
- any significant abnormal finding
A sample Breast Cancer History and Risk Assessment form is included in Appendix A-1 of the Algorithm Booklet. Examples of relative risk categories are included in Appendix A-2.
Posted: February, 2006. |
