The nurse is conducting a breast health workshop for a group of women. Which of the following would the nurse include in this workshop when outlining risk factors for breast cancer? Standard Text: Select all that apply

Question

1. Caucasian race
2. Positive family history
3. Low socioeconomic status
4. Hormone replacement therapy
5. Female age 35 to 40

Answer 1

1,2,3,4
Rationale 1: Caucasian race. Caucasian females, especially over the age of 40 have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than any other race or ethnic group.
Rationale 2: Positive family history. A positive family history of breast cancer places an individual at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. The individual is at an even greater risk if the family member developed breast cancer prior to menopause.
Rationale 3: Low socioeconomic status. Lower socioeconomic status places an individual at risk for breast cancer for a number of reasons, including lack of education on preventative measures and diagnostic recommendations; fear that breast cancer is not treatable and has a high mortality rate, thus they avoid diagnosis; and the mother of the family in lower socioeconomic groups often places her family's health care needs above hers.
Rationale 4: Hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy is linked to higher incidence of breast cancer.
Rationale 5: Female age 35 to 40. Females between the ages of 35 to 40 have not been found to have a high incidence of breast cancer.