NO DRUG THERAPY IN PRIMARY CARE (RECOGNITION & REFERRAL)
A patient presenting with fear of breast cancer requires an empathetic clinical breast examination to exclude palpable masses, skin changes, or pathologic nipple discharge. Provide age-appropriate screening education (routine screening mammography starting at age 40 to 50 according to local guidelines) and reassure the patient if the physical examination is normal and risk factors are average. If high-risk features are present, such as strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, refer to specialized genetics or breast clinics for formal risk assessment. - Refer
Children follow the same pathway: recognise and refer. No primary-care medicine is implied.
No dose - referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care
A patient presenting with fear of breast cancer requires an empathetic clinical breast examination to exclude palpable masses, skin changes, or pathologic nipple discharge. Provide age-appropriate screening education (routine screening mammography starting at age 40 to 50 according to local guidelines) and reassure the patient if the physical examination is normal and risk factors are average. If high-risk features are present, such as strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, refer to specialized genetics or breast clinics for formal risk assessment.
- RED FLAG - Unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy: assess urgently and refer.
- No medicine is prescribed for this in primary care - this entry is for recognition and referral. Anything given is decided by the service it is referred to.
- RED FLAG - A palpable lump or skin change found on examination moves this to breast lump/mass instead; a strong family history warrants referral for genetic counselling.