Outline
Demonstrated in this model are various symptoms , caused by breast cancer, including not only lumps and dimples but also the swelling of lymphonodi axillares, depression of the nipple and changes to the skin.
Characteristics
The incidence of breast cancer is high in women in the prime of their life. Should breast cancer develop cancer cells readily enter the blood stream and spread throughout the whole body. If it is detected and treated at an early stage while still localized, the chances of complete recovery are very high. Since the breast is an organ located close to the body surface, any change which develops on the skin can be seen and changes in the breast can be palpated.
We developed this breast cancer training model so that knowledge of typical cancer conditions can be acquired by inspection and by palpation of the organ on the basis of the symptoms of breast cancers at various stages. Most breast cancers are detected by palpation of a "lump". The smaller the cancer, the more readily it heals after treatment. From this standpoint, not only professional examination by a doctor but also careful self-examination are recommended every month. If a lump or mass is detected, one should immediately consult a specialist.
This model is a teaching aid in detecting breast cancer symptoms and in training women in self-examination.
Advantages
The model is made of a soft silicone and feels very realistic. Typical cancer symptoms such as lumps and skin changes can be realistically created with this model. It is an ideal educational model for nurses, students, doctors and other paramedical personnel. The model can be effectively used as a teaching tool for self-examination of breast cancer in mass screening.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions and weight | 460 × 400 × 200 (mm), 3.8 kg |
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
- Lump:
The initial symptom in 80 - 90% of breast cancers is a painless lump. The lump should be detected as early as possible by palpating the breasts once a month with the palms while taking a bath. Lumps ( 1 ) and ( 3 ) are hard , with rather irregular surfaces, and resemble cancers . Lump ( 2 ) is relatively soft and has a flat surface. This is probably a benign tumor. - Lymphnodi metastasis:
Hard lymphnodi are detected at both the axillar ( 4 ) and cervical ( 5 ) regions. - Changes and discharge of the nipples:
Even during the non-lactating period, compression of the nipples may lead to discharge and often the undergarment is stained. The discharge may be milky, watery, serous or bloody. If it is bloody, careful examination is indicated. Depression of the nipple is indicative of an underlying cancer ( 6 ) and eczematic change of the nipple is pathonomonic for Paget's cancer ( 7 ). - Skin changes:
If the cancer extends to the skin, the skin is depressed and a dimple is formed ( 8 ) . The dimple readily appears especially when the breast is moved. As the cancer progresses, an ulcer is formed with partial edema of the breast skin, prominent hair holes and an orange-peel appearance ( 9 ) . Slight redness and swelling sometimes appear.Pain and fever are usually not experienced or are weak (inflatory breast cancer) ( 10 ) .
* Please refer to the sites in the diagram with the same numbers in parentheses provided in the above descriptions
Caution
Being a model there will be no complaints if roughly handled. Do not push or pull the model with unreasonable force . Treat the model as you would do a living body.
