Nursing Care of the Postmenopausal Woman, 3rd Edition
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Lung cancer By the time a woman has symptoms of lung cancer, the disease has already spread to the point where it cannot be cured. (See Table 2-1 for signs and symp- toms of lung cancer.) Sometimes, lung cancer is found early by accident when a test is done for a different reason such as with a chest x-ray. The USPSTF recom- mends a low-dose CT scan as the screen- ing tool for lung cancer in adults between the ages of 50 and 80 who have a histo- ry of 20 pack-year smoking and currently smoke or who have quit with the past 15 years. Once a person has not smoked for a period of 15 years or longer, screening may be discontinued. This is a grade B recommendation (ACS, 2019c; USPSTF, 2021c). Breast cancer There is ongoing debate over when a woman should begin mammogram screenings and how often she should get subsequent mammograms. A mam- mogram is a low-dose x-ray of the breast which can help find breast cancer at an early stage. It is the tool most common- ly used to screen for breast cancer. It is especially helpful to have a mammogram done at the same place each time so that the current mammogram can be com- pared to previous studies. This aids in finding breast cancer earlier (ACS, 2022). Mammograms are not perfect and some - times cancers are missed. There are times when a woman will be asked to return for other studies such as ultrasounds or biop- sies. There are now 2-D and 3-D mammo- grams available. The 2-D mammogram takes pictures of the breast from the front and side. A 3-D mammogram takes many pictures and then the computer puts the images together to form a 3-D view of the breast. In consultation with her care
provider, the woman should be able to choose these methods if available and appropriate (ACS, 2022). Table 2-1. Common Symptoms of Lung Cancer ● A cough that does not go away or continually gets worse. ● Coughing up blood or red-tinged sputum. ● Hoarseness. ● Loss of appetite. ● Unexplained weight loss. ● Shortness of breath. ● Tiredness. ● Frequent infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia. ● New onset of wheezing. Note : Adapted from American Cancer Society. (2019e). Signs and symptoms of lung cancer . https://www.cancer. org/cancer/lung-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/ signs-symptoms.html Women with a history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cancer in the fallopian tubes, or peritoneal cancer—or a family member with a history of breast cancer— should be offered a BRACA screening test. BRACA 1 and 2 are gene mutations that run-in families and increase the risk of breast cancer. Women who are identified with the BRACA 1 or 2 mutation should receive genetic counseling to discuss var- ious management plans (USPSTF, 2019). Current guidelines from the ACS for women of average risk are: ● Every woman should have a screening mammogram starting between the ages of 40 and 44. ● From ages 45 to 54, they should have a mammogram every year. ● At age 55 and older, they should switch to mammograms every two years or continue yearly screenings.
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