Breast Complaints

Breast complaints are a cornerstone of women’s health primary care clinics. It is essential for primary care physicians to discern when to offer workup and early referral to breast cancer specialists, and just as importantly, when to offer therapeutic reassurance. This chapter aims to identify concerning features of breast lumps from the primary care perspective, and the initial steps and imaging necessary to make a formal diagnosis of breast cancer. Next, this chapter aims to identify both non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors for breast cancer, summarize the latest breast cancer screening recommendations for an average risk population, discuss special considerations for screening in intermediate to high risk patients, and offer practical lifestyle counseling to mitigate breast cancer risk in the average risk population.