Discuss the risk factors for Mastitis

Discuss the risk factors for Mastitis

Why do we assess the axillary lymph nodes when suspecting breast cancer?

What breast area is the most common site for breast cancer?"

Risk Factors for Mastitis

 Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast tissue and its seriousness may often involve an infection. The risk factors include:

 Breastfeeding: Mastitis most often develops from an injury of the nipple and areola during breastfeeding which make the area vulnerable to bacteria infections. Milk stasis or clogged ducts also increase the risks to the baby through their ability to also enhance the formation of blood clots in the pulmonary arteries.

 Nipple Trauma: If there is any tear or breakage of the nipple any form of infection is likely to attack it most especially for women who breast feed.

 Engorgement: This can make the breast full and hinder the flow of milk, and this is considered as one of the causes of mastitis condition.

 Inadequate Milk Removal: This may be due to poor practices in breastfeeding, improper feeding regimes or lack of feeding regimes that lead to retention of milk and hence the likelihood of infections.

 Cracked Nipples: Several factors can contribute to unhealthy nipple and thus prone to the infection of mastitis, including cracked or sore nipples.

 Underlying Health Conditions: Chronic diseases such as diabetes make the immune system weak and susceptible to infections hence increasing the frequency.

 Smoking: Smoking reduces the capacity of the immune system hence a higher chance of getting infected.

 Previous Mastitis: It is important to note that women who have ever been diagnosed of mastitis are most likely to suffer a relapse in the furture.

 Immune System Disorders: Chronic immunosuppressive illnesses like HIV/AIDS also predispose a woman to develop mastitis.

 Evaluating the Clinically Positive Axillary Lymph Nodes of Breast Cancer

 Why Do It: Axillary Lymph Node Mapping

 Staging of Breast Cancer: Axillary lymph node involvement is particularly important for the breast cancer staging. Lymph node involvement is taken into account in the staging of cancer and used to define the kind of treatment to be used.

 Prognostic Indicator: Sometimes cancer cells can extend to the axillary lymph nodes and this determines the extent of cancer spread and the prognosis. Lymph node involvement of a higher degree is usually indicative of a higher stage and may influence the prognosis.

 Treatment Planning: The status of the lymph nodes is particularly important because it determines the course of the subsequent treatment; whether chemotherapy, for example, is required or not.

 Surgical Decisions: Staging of axillary lymph nodes and decide necessity of sentinel lymph node biopsy or Axillary lymph node dissection affects the surgery section.

 Most women with breast cancer first experience it at this site.

 Breast Cancer Site:

 Upper Outer Quadrant: The upper outer quadrant of the breast is the most frequently affected area with breast cancer. It is affected more frequently because of the higher concentration of glandular tissue and it is also the area that is investigated most often during various screening tests.

 Central Area: They also arise in a central region of the breast, around the nipple, but as we have seen the upper outer quadrant is the most common.

 References:

 American Cancer Society. (2022). Breast Cancer: Risk Factors. Accessed October, 2012 from the American Cancer society

 National Cancer Institute. (2023). Breast Cancer Staging. Refer to National Cancer Institute