What subjects are involved in breast health examination?

Breast surgery is usually the first priority. If there are no subdivided departments in primary hospitals, general surgery is the first choice. If breast discomfort is accompanied by obvious menstrual disorders and endocrine abnormalities, you can also go to the gynecology or endocrinology department first.

Many people are confused when having a breast examination for the first time and don't know how to choose a department. I went with my best friend for an annual breast screening a while ago, and I met several people who registered for the wrong number at the registration office: There was a girl who had just graduated and felt a lump in her breast while taking a shower. She was so panicked that she went to the emergency department. In the end, the emergency doctor simply felt it and transferred her to the breast surgery department. It was found to be a 2cm benign fibrous tumor, which was removed by minor outpatient surgery. Nothing happened.； There is also an aunt in her 50s. Her breasts have been swollen for more than half a month, and she still has irregular menstruation and frequent hot flashes. She initially underwent breast surgery. After the doctor found out that there was no organic problem, she was transferred to the gynecology department for menopausal hormone adjustment. Gradually, the symptoms disappeared. ； I even met a man in his 40s who first went to the cardiology department because of chest pain. After a heart checkup, there was no problem. Finally, it was found that he had gynecomastia. He was transferred to the breast surgery department and it was quickly dealt with. It is true that women are not the only ones who need breast examinations.

Now most tertiary hospitals have separate breast surgery departments, which specialize in the entire process from routine health screening, diagnosis of benign and malignant breast diseases to follow-up treatment, whether it is prescribing breast B-ultrasound, mammography, magnetic resonance examinations, or reading films to determine BI- RADS grading has more experience than other departments. If you have a routine physical examination, or if you feel a clear hard lump, nipple discharge, breast skin wrinkles and other typical breast-related symptoms, it is most efficient to go directly to this department without making detours.

If you are in a county or community hospital and there is no separate breast surgery department, don’t worry. You can just go to the general surgery department. The doctors in the general surgery department have received systematic training in breast examination. Routine palpation, billing and screening, and preliminary judgment are all fine. If there are problems that need further treatment, they will also recommend you to the corresponding department of the higher-level hospital, which will not delay things.

This does not mean that all breast-related problems must be treated by surgery. For example, adolescent girls’ breast development is too early or too slow, menopausal women’s breast swelling and pain are accompanied by obvious menstrual disorders, hot flashes and night sweats, or they have endocrine problems such as thyroid and pituitary glands. If you have related underlying diseases and are accompanied by breast discomfort, it is completely reasonable to consult the gynecologist or endocrinologist first. After the basic investigation is completed, if there are indeed organic problems such as breast nodules and cysts, the doctor will proactively remind you to refer to the surgery, so your trip will not be in vain.

If you are really not sure what to expect, just go to the consultation desk and ask a few words before entering the hospital and explain your symptoms clearly. The consultation nurses receive this kind of consultation every day and give accurate advice. There is no need to be embarrassed to talk about the symptoms. Breast problems are too common now. Early check-up and early peace of mind are better than anything else.