Breast findings
Breast findings in the over fifty age group revolve about the one consuming thought cancer. Breast cancer accounts for 15,000 deaths yearly in the United States alone, but it is well worth knowing that most breast difficulties are not cancers.
Absent Breast. This is a very unusual inherited condition. It is not considered a disease and has no significance regarding cancer of any source.
Extra Breast (Polymastia). This is not a disease, and more of a curiosity than anything else. Usually, only the nipple is present and found below the normal breast in line with the umbilicus. Extra breasts are not indicative of cancer or of other disease, but are usually removed for cosmetic reasons.
Enlargement (hypertrophy). The greatly enlarged breast may present considerable inconvenience, but has no great significance in disease for the present or future.
Nipple Retraction. A retracted nipple existent since breast development has little significance. However, if the nipple re-
Fig. 39. Nipple retraction of many years usually has no significance, but a recently retracted nipple may mean serious disease.
traction has developed recently, especially at fifty years or more, it may have great significance for malignant disease of the breast. It is the first sign of trouble in about 3 percent of the breast cancers, and demands a physician’s examination immediately.