MN576 Indiana Fibrocystic Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Paper

MN576 Indiana Fibrocystic Breast Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Paper

Women often present to the primary care setting with a variety of breast complaints. Many of these are benign conditions but can be concerning to the patient. Breast complaints are common across the lifespan, and it is imperative for the nurse practitioner to be comfortable in assessing, diagnosing, and treating breast complaints.

• Discuss any encounters you have had with patients who have had breast concerns. Review the evidence-based guidelines for evaluating and treating breast conditions. How did you approach the assessment and the evaluation of breast complaints seen in the clinic setting?

It’s not at all uncommon to have fibrocystic breasts. More than half of women experience fibrocystic breast changes at some point in their lives. In fact, medical professionals have stopped using the term “fibrocystic breast disease” and now simply refer to “fibrocystic breasts” or “fibrocystic breast changes” because having fibrocystic breasts isn’t really a disease. Breast changes categorized as fibrocystic are considered normal.

2. Discuss the symptoms and cause as well as the diagnosis and treatment of women who present with fibrocystic breast. Include patient education, suggested lifestyle changes and recommended self-management.