Early Detection and Management of Breast Symptoms

National Guideline for

Primary Care Doctors & Family Physicians

National Cancer Control Programme

Ministry of Health
Sri Lanka
 Second Edition January 2014
First Edition January 2012
ISBN 978-955-0505-21-0

Unit of Primary Prevention & Early Detection of Cancers

National Cancer Control Programme

Ministry of Health
555/5, Ground Floor
Public Health Complex
Elvitigala Mawatha, Narahenpita
Colombo 5, Sri Lanka

Tel. No. + 94 -0112368627

E mail: nccpsl@[Link]

Development of the guidelines was supported by WHO

(WHO 2010 - 2011 Biennium SO : 3 SESRL1004132 19.1 511-DFC)

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 Contents

Page No

Message - Secretary, Ministry of Health 2

Message - Director General of Health Services 3
Message - Deputy Director General of Health Services (MS 1) 4
Preface - Director, National Cancer Control Programme 5
Technical guidance 6
Guideline
Chapter 1
Introduction 8
Chapter 2
Breast Self Examination 12
Clinical Breast Examination 17
Breast Symptoms Management at Primary Care 23
Referral Pathway 24
Recommendations 25
Mammography and Ultrasound scan 25
Diagnosing Breast Cancer( Triple Assessment) 27
Annexes
Hereditary Breast Cancer 28
Psychological Considerations in the Management of Breast
Symptoms 33
Management of Breast Cancer at the Tertiary Care Level 36
In the Fight to Win against Lymphedema in Breast Cancer 41
Model Referral Form for Specific Care for a Breast Symptom 44

1
 The Message from Secretary of Health

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have gradually replaced

communicable diseases as the dominant health problem in the country,
and have become the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, and
disability. Therefore, Ministry of Health has prioritized policies, strategies
and activities related to prevention and control of NCDs in Sri Lanka. A
series of actions are being carried out at national and provincial levels to
combat NCDs.

Cancer, one of the major components in NCDs, will become an increasingly

important condition in the burden of diseases in the future. It is evident
by the increment of cancer incidence in Sri Lanka from 31.6 in 1995 to
70.9 in 2006 per 100,000 population. Furthermore, neoplasms were
the second commonest cause of death of all the hospital admissions in
2007.

Most common sites for cancer in Sri Lanka are breast among females
and oral cavity in males. Hence, it is imperative that strategies for
early detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer should be
strengthened in the country. Ensuring early detection of breast cancer
would lead to better treatment outcomes such as breast conservative
surgery and higher survival rates, minimizing patient suffering with more
effective treatment outcomes.

While appreciating the hard work of all the experts who actively
participated in this activity, it is expected that medical officers would
use this information for optimal management of breast symptoms at the
primary care level and timely referral for specialized care.

Dr. Y.D. Nihal Jayathilaka

Secretary
Ministry of Health

2
 The Message from Director General of Health
Services

Breast cancer is the leading cancer among women worldwide, as

well as in Sri Lanka. Women are routinely screened for breast cancer
by performing clinical breast examination at well women clinics and
educating women on breast self-examination as the current strategy
in detecting breast cancer early. Therefore updating the guideline for
primary care medical officers on early detection of breast cancer is a
timely need as the Ministry of Health is strengthening primary care for
better delivery of health care at grass root level.

This guideline provides information on how to assess a woman with

symptoms of the breast and when and where to refer if the symptom
is suspicious of a malignancy. This guideline has been developed and
revised by a multidisciplinary panel composed of experts from different
fields. Recommendations in the guidelines are based on evaluation of
evidence from clinical trials that are published in the medical literature.

I would like to thank the National Cancer Control Programme for initiating
this activity and the panel of experts who enormously contributed in the
development of this guideline.

Dr. Palitha G. Mahipala

Director General of Health Services
Ministry of Health

3
 Message from Deputy Director General of
Health Services
(Medical Services 1)

Cancer is an important factor in the Sri Lankan burden of disease. Breast

cancer is the most common cancer in women and a leading cause of
cancer mortality in Sri Lanka. Breast cancer does not strike an individual
alone but the whole family unit. The impact of breast cancer is therefore
profound on both the woman diagnosed with the disease and her family.

Although the aetiology of breast cancer is unknown, numerous risk factors

may influence the development of this disease including hormonal, socio-
demographic, genetic, environmental and psychological factors.

Over the past years, in spite of increased incidence of breast cancer,

the survival has been improved. Advances in technology, especially in
detection and treatment methods, are in part responsible for this improved
survival. The high incidence and mortality rates of breast cancer, as well
as the high cost of treatment and limited resources availability, indicate
that it should continue to be a focus of attention in policy-making.

One of the effective methods of addressing the burden of breast cancer

includes early detection as well as timely referral. I hope this guide will
support in detecting breast cancer early by updating the knowledge of
primary care medical officers.

Dr. Lakshmi C. Somatunga

Deputy Director General (Medical Services I)
Ministry of Health

4
 Preface
Director, National Cancer Control Programme

The commonest neoplasm among Sri Lankan adults is breast cancer,

as evident by its age- standardized rate of 10.8 cases per 100,000
population reported in 2006. With reference to females, this rate was
almost double at 20.6 per 100,000 female population, accounting for
the highest percentage of cancer (27%) among females. Furthermore,
age-standardized incidence rate for breast cancer has risen from 1985
to 2006.
It is shown that around 50% of breast cancer patients in Sri Lanka
are diagnosed at a late stage, hence the morbidity, mortality and cost
of treatment per patient is extremely high. According to the cancer
mortality data, breast cancer had the highest age standardised mortality
rate among female cancers being 4.7/100,000 in year 2006.
Early detection of breast cancer greatly increases the chances for
successful treatment. Promoting awareness among women in recognizing
possible warning signs of cancer and taking prompt action leads to
early diagnosis. Hence strengthening capacities of primary care medical
officers on early detection of breast cancer and timely referral will have
a great impact on the disease.
In order to achieve the above objective, revising the existing national
guideline which was developed by the Ministry of health in 2007 was
a timely need. Therefore, the first edition of the guide for primary care
doctors and family physicians was developed and published in 2012. The
second edition of this guideline has been prepared with the opinion of
experts in breast cancer including consultant onco-surgeons, pathologists,
oncologists, primary care medical officers and other public health staff.
I hope this guide will help the primary care medical officers to upgrade
their knowledge on assessing females presenting with breast symptoms
and referring them for further management in order to detect breast
cancer early.

Dr Neelamani Paranagama
Director
National Cancer control Programme

5
 Technical Guidance
National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP)
Dr. Neelamani Paranagam, Director, NCCP
Dr. Eshani Fernando, Deputy Director, NCCP
Dr. Suraj Perera, Consultant Community Physician, NCCP
Dr. Chiranthika Vithana, Consultant Community Physician, NCCP
Dr. Irosha Nilaweera, Senior Registrar, NCCP
Dr. Varuni Bandara, Senior Registrar, NCCP
Dr. [Link] F Dheerasinghe, Registrar, NCCP
Dr. Asanga Hemaratne, Medical Officer, NCCP
Dr. Harshani Amaradasa, Medical Officer, NCCP
Dr. Kosala Muthukumarana, Medical Officer, NCCP
Dr. Thilini Indiketiya, Medical Officer, NCCP
Dr. Haleema Naseemdeen, Medical Officer, NCCP

National Cancer Institute (NCI) Maharagama

Dr. Indranee Amarasinghe, Senior Consultant Oncosurgeon, NCI
Dr. Kanishka de Silva, Consultant Oncosurgeon, NCI
Dr. Mahanada Udukala, Consultant Surgeon, NCI
Dr. Yasantha Ariyaratne, Consultant Oncologist, NCI Maharagama
Dr. Prasad Abeysinghe, Consultant Oncologist, NCI
Dr. Sujeewa Weerasingha,.Consultant Oncologist, NCI
Dr. Ranjani Selvakumar, Consultant Histopathologists, NCI

Family Health Bureau (FHB)

Dr. N. Mapitigama, Consultant Community Physician, FHB

Ministry of Health
Dr. Susie Perera, Director / Policy Analysis & Development, Ministry of Health
Dr. Indra Kumari Fernando, Director / Primary Health Care

University of Colombo (UOC)

Prof. A.H. Sheriffdeen, Emeritus Professor of Surgery, UOC
Prof. Dulitha Fernando, Professor of Community Medicine, UOC
Prof. Dilani Lokuhetti, Professor in Pathology, UOC
Prof. Vajira H. [Link], Medical Geneticist and Professor in Anatomy, UOC
Dr. Piyenjali de Zoyza, Senior lecturer in Clinical Psychology, UOC
Dr. Erandie Ediriweera,, Lecturer, Family Medicine, UOC
Dr. Nirmala Sirisena, Lecturer, Clinical Geneticist, Human Genetic Unit, UOC
Dr. Niluka Dissanayake, Human Genetic Unit, UOC

University of Kelaniya (UOK)

Prof. Jayantha Ariyaratne, Professor in Surgery, University of Kelaniya

6
College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka
Dr. Neomal Perera, Consultant Oncosurgeon, Lanka Hospitals
Dr. Dilini Samarakoon, Consultant Surgeon, SJTH
Dr. Renuka Mahanama, Consultant Surgeon, Breast Cline, NHSL
Dr. Ajith de Silva, Consultant Surgeon, Breast Cline, NHSL

College of Pathologists of Sri Lanka

Prof. Lakmini Madduwa, Professor in Pathology, Faculty of Medicine University of Rhune

College of Radiologists
Dr. Kantha Samarawickrama, Consultant Radiologist
Dr. Suneetha Weerakoon, Consultant Radiologist, NHSL
Dr. Pandula Hettiarachchi, Consultant Radiologist, DGH Gampaha

College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka

Dr. Eugene Corea, College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka
Dr. Carmel Fernandopulle, Family Physician

Field Health Services

Dr. [Link], MO/MCH Colombo
Dr. Ramani Ramanaya, MO/MCH Colombo Municipal Council
Dr. Shiromi De Silva MO/MCH, Badulla

International Experts
Prof. Nada Alawan, Consultant on Breast Cancer Care, IAEA/ WHO
Dr. [Link], Head, Early Detection & Prevention,International Agency for Research on Cancer, WHO

7
 CHAPTER ONE

Introduction
1.1 Global and Sri Lankan situation of breast cancer
Breast cancer is the commonest cancer among women all over the world,
and it is the commonest cancer among women in Sri Lanka as well. It
accounted for 27% of all newly diagnosed cancers among females in Sri
Lanka in 2006 (Figure 1.1). There is an increasing incidence of breast
cancer over the past 15 years (Figure 1.2).

Figure 1.1- Newly diagnosed cancers among Sri Lankan Females in 2006

Figure 1.2- Cancer incidence among Sri Lankan women over 1985-2005

8
 Females

Males

Figure 1.3- Incidence of breast cancer in Sri Lanka by age and sex, in 2006

Females have a 100 times higher risk of getting breast cancer than males
(female: male = 100:1)

1.2 Women with high risk for breast cancer

Women with following risk factors are at a higher risk of developing
breast cancer:
• a past history of breast cancer/breast condition
• a family history of breast or ovarian cancers
• infertility
• first child birth after 35 years
• low parity
• not breast fed or breast fed only for a short period
• High before 11 years
• menopause after 55 years
• use of oral contraceptive pills 5 years or more (slight increase in risk)
• obesity after menopause
• High consumption of animal fats
• consumption of less fruits and vegetables
• less exercise/sedentary life style
• consumption of more alcohol
• active or passive smoking
• past exposure to radiation

9
1.3 Clinical features of breast cancer
Breast cancer does not show any clinical features during early stages.
Clinical features appear only with the advancement of the cancer. These
clinical features include;

• Skin changes of the breast

• Color changes of the breast

• Change in the shape of the breast

• Dimpling/Indurations of the breast

10
 • Pseudo orange appearance of breast (orange peel)

• Ulcer (wound) over the breast

• Asymmetry of recent onset of the breast (Inequalities of size
which is there from the very early days is not a sign of breast
cancer)
• Nipple change or nipple discharge other than breast milk

• Breast lump or thickening of the skin over the breast

• Axillary or cervical lumps (lymph nodes)
Presence of above features do not always indicate the presence of a
breast cancer.
1.4 Importance of early detection of breast cancer
If breast cancer is detected at an early stage, it can be cured by applying
appropriate intervention early. If a breast cancer is detected at a late
stage, it is difficult to achieve a complete cure.

1.5 Methods of early detection of breast cancer

Following methods are available for early detection of breast cancer in
Sri Lanka.
• Clinical breast examination by a health care worker
• Breast self examination
• Mammography and/or Ultrasound Scan

11
 CHAPTER TWO

Early Detection of Breast Cancer

2.1 Health education on breast self examination
Breast self examination is the Inspection and palpation of the breast by
the woman herself. The role of the primary health care physician is to
provide necessary information regarding this to women and to make
them competent in breast self examination.

2.1.1 Information that should be provided to the woman

• Need for breast self examination
If breast cancer is detected early, it can be cured completely. A practice
of breast self examination on monthly basis is very important for early
detection of breast cancers.

• Frequency of carrying out the breast self examination

This should be carried out once a month by all women over 20 years of
age.

• Date for conduction of breast self examination

This should be conducted on a fixed date every month. It is better to
conduct this, one week after the start of menstruation. If she is not
menstruating, a fixed date in every month should be used.

• Place and postures to conduct breast self examination

A woman can use any place that suites her. It can be conducted in a
lying down, sitting or a standing position or while bathing.

2.1.2 Instructions to be given to the woman on steps of breast self

examination
Breast self examination has two components:
1. Inspection
2. Palpation

12
 Inspection
Stand in front of the mirror exposing the chest up to the waist. Observe
the breasts for the following changes while keeping the arms in positions
shown in picture 2.1(1. arms hanging by the side, 2. hands pressed on
the waist, 3. arms lifted above the head)

Picture 2.1
Clinical features of the breast cancer
 Skin changes of the breast
 Color changes of the breast
 Change in shape of the breast
 Orange peel (Pseudo orange) appearance of breast
 Ulceration on the breast
 Late occurrence of breast asymmetry (usually both breasts are
not of equal size. Therefore, a long standing breast asymmetry is
not a sign of a cancer)
 Nipple change/discharge other than breast milk (Having inverted
nipples from birth is not a sign of a cancer)
 Breast lump or thickening of the breast skin
 Lumps in the arm pit or around the neck

Picture 2.2

13
 Palpation
As shown in the picture 2.3 palpate the breast using fingers for any
increase in thickness or lump. Use the palmer surfaces of the fingers (flat
surface of the three middle fingers) but do not use the finger tips.

 This can be conducted in a sitting/lying down/standing or bathing

position

Picture 2.3

 On examining right breast, lift the right upper arm and palpate the
right breast using the left hand (Picture 2.3).

While examining the left breast lift the left upper arm and palpate the
left breast using the right hand

 As shown in picture 2.4, continue palpating the breast in a clock-

wise direction from outside of the breast towards the nipple. Start
with applying ‘minimal’ pressure as indicted in picture 2.5 (to feel the
area just beneath the skin) and then gradually increase the pressure
(to feel the tissue deeper within)

Picture 2.4

Picture 2.5
 After examining the breast in the circular direction, examine it in the
up and down direction and in wedges as shown in picture 2.6.

14
 Picture 2.6

 Then examine the arm pit (Picture 2.7)

Picture 2.7

 Finally as shown in the picture 2.8 find out whether there is a nipple
discharge using thumb and first finger to squeeze the areola.

Picture 2.8

 Use the same technique to examine the other breast.

 If breast self examination is conducted in a lying down position, follow

the following procedure. For the right breast examination, keep a flat
pillow under right shoulder and keep the right palm beneath the head
(picture 2.9) and palpate the breast using the left hand.

For the examination of the left breast keep a pillow under the left shoulder
and keep the left palm under the head and examine with the right hand.

15
 Picture 2.9

2.1.3 What to do after breast self examination?

If any abnormality is detected during breast self examination, it is
necessary to consult a doctor. It is important to note that all the changes
in the breast are not cancers.

National recommendation for breast self-examination:

All women should practice breast self examination once a month from
20 years of age.

16
2.2 Clinical breast examination (CBE)
Clinical breast examination is used as a method of early detection of
breast lesions as well as a component in triple assessment in diagnosing
breast cancer

A detailed history and thorough clinical examination provide important

information on which, further investigations would be based on.

2.2.1 Clinical history

Relevant history includes details of breast symptoms.
Breast Lump • Site - constant or changing
• Duration - when and how first noted
• Any changes since first noted
• Relationship to menstrual cycles or exogenous
hormones
• Associated symptoms
Breast Pain • Site - constant or changing / Unilateral or bilateral
• Cyclical or acyclical
• Duration - when and how first noted
• Any changes since first noted
• Relationship to menstrual cycles or exogenous
hormones
• Associated symptoms
Nipple discharge • Duration - when and how first noted
or change in • Any changes since first noted
appearance • By lateral or unilateral
• From single duct or multi-duct

Previous breast problems

Previous breast investigations

Most recent imaging - date and results (screening or diagnostic)
Biopsy results - FNAC/ Histology

Risk factors - History should be taken on the risk factors mentioned in

Page 9 under 1.2

17
The following categories of woman with a strong family history should
be referred to a surgical unit or breast clinic

1. One first degree relative diagnosed with breast cancer < 40

years
2. Two first or second – degree relatives on the same side of the
family diagnosed with breast and ovarian cancer at any age.
3. Three family members on the same side of the family with breast
cancer < 70 years
4. Four family members on the same side of the family with breast
cancer at any age
5. Breast and ovarian cancer combination within the same side of
the family. (A single person with a breast and ovarian cancer
fulfils this criterion. Breast and ovarian cancer combination
diagnosed in 4 or more relatives on the same side of the family
is associated with a very high risk of the presence of a germ line
cancer predisposing gene.)
6. First degree relatives with bilateral breast cancer
7. First degree relatives with male breast cancer < age 60 years
8. Family members with rare a cancer syndromes
e.g. Li- Fraumeni

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) - Women over the age of 50 years

should be discouraged to be on HRT unless with severe post menopausal
symptoms (WHO recommendation).

Any woman with a family history of breast cancer should not take HRT.
If HRT has to be started for severe post menopausal symptoms, it should
be given for a period not exceeding 2 years. These women should be
given special attention for early detection of breast cancer, preferably
they should undergo a screening mammography.

2.2.2 Steps of clinical breast examination (CBE)

CBE should be done in a covered room with good light in the presence
of a female chaperone.

Explain the purpose and the procedure of CBE to the woman

Inspection
The breasts should be observed in each of the following sitting positions:
(1) arms relaxed at her side, (2) arms raised over her head and (3) hands
placed on the hips and pushing inward (contraction of the pectoralis
major muscle).
The breasts should be inspected from the front and from each side
(include frontal and lateral views) in step 1 - 3 in page 19

18
 Pay particular attention to:
• Breast size, contour, shape, symmetry
• Skin changes such as erythema, dimpling, tethering or puckering,
peau d’orange, eczematous skin changes, visible lumps
• Nipple - position height, any inversion, retraction, erythema,
eczema, nodules, ulceration, discharge

Step 1 -
Step 2 -
Position with arms at side for
Position with arms overhead
inspection
for inspection

Step 3 -
Position with hands on hips
and leaning forward for inspection

19
 Palpation
The ability to identify breast cancers by palpation is influenced by the
characteristics of the tumour, surrounding breast tissue, the position of
the lesion in the breast, proper positioning of the patient, thoroughness
of the search, the area covered and use of a consistent pattern of search.

During the process of palpation, the patient should be asked whether

she is comfortable or the pressure is causing any discomfort.

Palpation of Regional Lymph Nodes

The regional lymph nodes should be palpated while the woman is in
the sitting position. These lymph nodes include the supraclavicular,
infraclavicular and axillary nodes.

Step 4 - Step 5 - Palpation of supra and

Palpation of axillary lymph nodes infra clavicular lymph nodes

20
Palpation of breasts
Step 6 – Positioning the female for palpation
For the palpation of the breasts, the woman should be placed in the
supine position. Help the female to lie supine.
Place ipsilateral arm overhead.
A flat pillow positioned under the shoulder may assist in examining the
outer quadrants of a large breast

Step 7 – Positioning the breast towards the midline

Centralize the breast (manually or with a towel or a flat pillow under the
shoulder)towards the midline. The non-examining hand may be used to
immobilize a large breast. When examining a woman who has identified
a palpable abnormality during breast self-examination, ask her to point
with one finger exactly where she feels the abnormality. (Examiner
should start palpation of normal breast first)

Step 8 – Identifying the perimeter of breast

Perimeter of breasts should be noted during
clinical breast examination. Anatomically,
breast tissue extends superiorly from the
second rib or clavicle, medically to the
lateral border of the sternum, inferiorly to
the sixth rib, and laterally to the latissimus
dorsi muscle.

Step 9 – Palpation technique

To palpate the breast tissue, the examiner
should use the pads of the middle 3 fingers,
using overlapping dime-sized circles.
The entire breast tissue should be palpated
using 3 different levels of pressure --
light, medium, and deep -- to examine the
different depths of the breast tissue.
(Picture 2.5)

21
There are 3 typical patterns used to palpate the breast: the circular
technique, the wedge technique and the vertical strip technique.

Note that the circular method does not always cover the entire perimeter
of the breast unless a conscious effort is made to do so.

The woman should be asked to squeeze areola region of the nipple to see
whether there is any nipple discharge. Nipple discharge that occurs only
with nipple or breast stimulation is a normal physiologic function.

The same steps (steps 6-9) should be repeated for the opposite breast

22
 Breast symptoms management at primary care
(1) Breast lump
All women with breast lumps should be referred to a surgical unit or
breast clinic.

(2) Breast pain (Mastalgia)

Cardiac pain and chest wall pain should be clearly differentiated from the
history. History should clearly differentiate whether the pain is arising
from the chest wall or it is cardiac pain.
Mastalgia (especially unilateral noncyclical mastalgia) should be referred
to a surgical unit.

(3) Nipple discharge

Single duct discharge, unilateral of whatever color, should be referred to
a surgical unit.

Bilateral milky discharge: Assess FSH/LH/Prolactin levels.

Abnormal- should be referred to a surgical unit.
Normal- Reassure the patient.

Purulent discharge: Do culture/ABST and start appropriate antibiotics.

If there is no response within one week, refer to a surgical unit.

(4) Skin and nipple changes

Women with suspicious breast skin and nipple changes of breast should
be referred to a surgical unit.

(5) Axillary mass

All axillary masses should be referred to a surgical unit

(6) All other complaints – Mastitis, sinuses etc

All should be referred to a surgical unit

If any abnormality is detected during clinical breast examination,

suggesting of a breast pathology, do not indicate to the woman
that she has a cancer as the diagnosis has to be confirmed by
conducting other components of triple assessment and diagnosis will
be confirmed at the next level of care.

23
 Referral Pathway

Step - 1
History & Clinical Breast Step - 2 Step - 3
Examination Other Components
Surgical Clinic
1. Out Patients of Triple
Departments (OPD) TH, PGH, DGH, BH, Assessment
of Health Institutions Private Hospitals
in Government [1] Mammography/
and Private sector Ultra Sound Scan
(Primary care doctors) [2] Fine Needle
2. Well Woman Clinic Aspiration
(WWC ) in each MOH Cytology (FNAC)

24
Females area Facility
in the 3. Healthy lifestyle Clinic
Community 4. Family Physicians

Step - 1 & 2
1. Breast Clinic - National Cancer Institute, Maharagama
Further
2. Breast Clinics – Teaching / Provincial General Hospitals management
3. Cancer Screening Clinics / Breast clinics in the Private based on Triple
hospitals Assessment
4. Cancer Early Detection Centre, National Cancer Control findings
Programme, Narahenpita
 Recommendations
• Presenting complaint and all the risk factors should
be documented in the clinic file / Bed Head Ticket

• Any breast lump should be considered as a cancer,

until proven otherwise in a woman over 35 years.

• Attention should be paid to benign conditions such

as nipple discharge and mastalgia as they could
precede the symptoms of a cancer.

• All women with above presentations should be

referred within one week to a surgical clinic.

• All women with above risk factors should be

referred within one month.

• If a ‘ Specialized Breast Clinic ‘ is available, could

be referred directly to those clinics. (The breast
clinic is a dedicated clinic for breast problems. The
clinic is conducted by a team led by a Consultant
Surgeon or a Consultant Oncosurgeon. Medical
& nursing staff are specially trained in providing
services for breast problems. In addition breast
clinics have made arrangements for timely access
for radiological and pathological laboratory services
for triple assessment.)

• No surgery should be done on the breast unless

supervised or authorized by a Consultant Surgeon
/ Consultant Oncosurgeon.

2.3 Mammography and ultrasound scan

These investigations are used in breast cancer screening as well as a
component of triple assessment in diagnosing breast cancer

• Mammography and the ultrasound scans are used

for imaging of breast lesions.
• The sensitivity of mammography increases with
increasing age. Sensitivity is improved with the
addition of ultrasound over all ages especially in
women under the age of 40 years.

25
 • Ultrasound is more sensitive than mammography
in the detection of cancer in younger women.

Distribution of mammography machines in Sri Lanka

Availability in the State Sector

Province and District Place No. of Machines

Western - Colombo NHSL 02

Narahenpita (NCCP) 01

Maharagama (NCI) 03

CSTH Kalubowila 01

Southern - Galle TH Karapitiya 01

Centrai -Kandy TH Kandy 01

North Central - Polonnaruwa DGH Polonnaruwa 01

Northern -Jaffna TH Jaffna 01

Total 11

Availability in the Private Sector

No. of
Province and District Place
Machines
Western - Colombo Sri Jayawardenapura 01

Pvt Hospitals in
07
Colombo city limits

Pvt Hospital (Gampaha) 01

Pvt Hospitai (Wattala) 01

Pvt Hospitai (Matara) 02

Pvt hospital 02

North West - Kurunegala Pvt Kurunegala 01

Total 15

Recommended screening protocol

• Breast self examination should be conducted once
a month by all women starting from age of 20
years.
• Clinical breast examinations (CBE) are recommended
every 3 years for all women from the age of 20
to 40. For women aged 40 or over, CBEs are
recommended annually.
• In women whose relatives developed breast or
ovarian cancer under the aged of 40 years, annual
clinical breast examination should be started 5
years before the index case.
• Breast self examination should be taught and

26
 reinforced at every consultation.
• From age 50 – 69 years, screening mammography
is offered once in every 2 years if the woman
requests it.(Can be adopted only when adequate
mammography facilities are available throughout
the country)

• Screening mammography or ultrasound scan in

every 12 months from 35 years can be offered for
woman with a strong family history of breast and
ovarian cancers.

• For women younger than 35 years, ultrasound

scan should be offered instead of mammography

• Any male with breast symptoms should be referred

to a surgical clinic

Diagnosis at the tertiary care level

 Diagnosis of a breast cancer is made at the tertiary care level

 It is diagnosed by the Triple assessment

 Triple Assessment refers to three diagnostic components

• Medical history and clinical breast examination

• Imaging - mammography and or ultrasound scan

• Non excision biopsy - Fine needle aspiration

cytology (FNAC) and or cone biopsy

The sensitivity of the triple assessment is greater than any of the

individual component alone.

The triple assessment is positive, if any component is indeterminate,

suspicious or malignant, and they will need further follow up at a
specialist centre.

27
 Annex I
Hereditary Breast Cancer
Dr. Nirmala Sirisena, Dr. Niluka Dissanayake and Prof. Vajira H. W.
Dissanayake
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo
Breast cancer is the commonest cancer among Sri Lankan women,
accounting for approximately 27% of all female cancers. Although all
cancers are genetic, only some are hereditary. Five to ten percent of
breast cancers have a strong hereditary component due to highly penetrant
germ-line mutations in autosomal dominant cancer predisposition genes,
while 10–15% are familial due to a combination of multiple low penetrant
genes and shared environmental/lifestyle risk factors.
Genetically determined breast cancer syndromes
• Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) –
BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes [OMIM 604370, 612555]
• Cowden syndrome (multiple hamartoma syndrome) – PTEN
gene.[OMIM 158350]
• Li-Fraumeni syndrome - TP53 and CHEK2 genes.[OMIM
151623]
• Peutz-Jeghers syndrome - STK11 gene. [OMIM 175200]
• Ataxia-telangiectasia - ATM gene. [OMIM208900]

OMIM – Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man: [Link]

[Link]/omim
GeneReviews – BRCA1 and BRCA2 Hereditary Breast and Ovarian

Cancer : [Link]
gov/books/NBK1247/
Identifying hereditary breast cancer
The key to identifying individuals
who are at risk for a hereditary
predisposition to breast cancer lies in
obtaining and analyzing a complete
and accurate three-generation family
history (pedigree).

Pedigrees should include detailed

medical history of the person seeking
consultation (who may or may not
be a person affected with breast
cancer at the time of consultation),
as well as their first-, second- and
third-degree maternal and paternal
relatives (i.e. children, parents,
siblings, grandparents, aunts,

28
uncles, nephews, nieces and first cousins).
The pedigree should document the type and primary site of cancer,
bilaterality, age at diagnosis and the current age or, if deceased, the
age at death for each affected individual as well as information about
other family members. Confirmation of cancer diagnosis through review
of medical records, pathology reports or death certificates of family
members will be useful in families where the verbal history appear to be
unreliable.

When to refer patients for a genetic consultation?

Referral for genetic counselling and testing for individualized cancer risk
assessment should be offered to patients who meet any of the following
“hereditary breast cancer” criteria:

• Multiple cases of breast and/or ovarian cancer in the family

occurring in two or more close relatives:
- Two 1st degree, or one 1st and one 2nd degree relative with
breast cancer <60 yrs and/or ovarian cancer at any age on the
same side of the family.
- Three or more family members (1st or 2nd degree) with breast
or ovarian cancer on the same side of the family, any age.
• Patient or 1st degree relative with breast cancer <40 yrs, with
or without family history.
• A family member with bilateral breast cancer.
• A family member with both breast and ovarian cancers.
• A family member with primary cancer in both breasts if one or
both cancers diagnosed before age 50 years.
• A family member with male breast cancer.
• A family member with ovarian cancer.
• A family history with characteristic combinations of cancers.
• Diagnosis of a hereditary breast cancer syndrome in a family
member.
• A family member with an identified BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.
(First degree relatives - parents, children, siblings; Second degree
relatives - grandparents, grandchildren, aunts/uncles, nephews, nieces,
half-siblings; Third-degree relatives - first-cousins, great grandparents,
great grandchildren).
Predictive Cancer Genetics Steering Committee (PCGSC). Ontario
physicians’ guide to referral of patients with family history of cancer
to a familial cancer genetics clinic. Toronto, ON: Ontario Medical
Association; 2001.
Available at: [Link]/pcomm/OMR/nov/[Link].
All recommendations are level 2A evidence-based with uniform
PCGSC consensus.

Genetic counselling for hereditary breast cancer

Genetic counseling allows individuals an opportunity to learn how heredity
contributes to cancer risk, understand their personal risk of developing
cancer, understand their options for managing their cancer risk and

29
encourages adoption of risk-reducing behaviors that are appropriate for
them. All those undergoing genetic testing should be offered pre-test and
post-test counseling.

Pre-test counseling is a process that includes discussion of personal risks

of cancer based on the family history, the possible outcomes of genetic
testing, including benefits, risks, limitations of testing and obtaining
informed consent prior to testing.

Post-test counseling is a process in which the genetic test results and

their significance are discussed, and medical management is reviewed,
including screening and treatment options.
Other matters to be discussed during counselling include: privacy and
confidentiality of genetic information; potential insurance, employment
and social discrimination; adverse psychological reactions; and sharing
test results with relatives.
Although BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are inherited in an autosomal
dominant manner, their expression depends on acquiring a second
mutation in the normal BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene in somatic cells. Although
children of mutation carriers are at 50% risk of inheriting the mutation,
the age of onset of their cancer is difficult to predict. It is important
therefore to explain the difference between inheriting the mutation
and development of the cancer to those seeking genetic counseling to
help them understand the meaning of a positive test result and discuss
with them the estimated lifetime risk of cancer for BRCA1 and BRCA2
mutation carriers given below:
Table 1- Estimated lifetime risk for developing cancer in BRCA1 and
BRCA2 mutation carriers.
Lifetime risk for developing cancer
Type of Cancer
BRCA1 BRCA2
Breast cancer before age 50 50% 28%
years
Breast cancer to age 70 years 50-85% 50-85%
Ovarian cancer to age 70 40-60% 10-20%
years
Male breast cancer Slight increase 6%
Prostate cancer Slight increase Slight increase
Pancreatic cancer No increase 1.5-5%
Melanoma No increase Slight increase

Daly MD: National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) v.1.2010.

Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast and Ovarian in Clinical
Practice Guidelines in Oncology.
All recommendations are level 2A evidence-based with uniform NCCN
consensus.

Genetic testing
Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are available in Sri
Lanka. Testing is done on DNA extracted from peripheral venous blood.

30
The steps involved in genetic testing:
• Test an affected family member FIRST after providing pre-test
counseling and obtaining written informed consent.
• If a mutation is found, then other family members, including
those who are not affected, can be tested for that mutation.
• If a mutation is not found, consider testing other genes.
• Always provide post-test counseling.

Benefits of genetic testing:

• Clarify risks of cancer.
• Identify individuals who are at increased risk who could benefit
from increased cancer surveillance, or measures to decrease risk.
• Identify individuals who may not be at increased risk.
Implications of a positive test result:
• Clinical intervention can improve outcomes e.g. risk reduction
mastectomy reduces risk of breast cancer and salpingo-
oophorectomy reduces risk of ovarian and breast cancer
(in premenopausal women).
• Family members at risk can be offered testing and identified.
• Healthy life styles can be reinforced.

Implications of a negative test result:

• Reassures the individual and their family members.
Management
The options described below are available for managing the increased
cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers:

Cancer surveillance:
• Monthly breast self-examination starting at the age of 20 years.
• Annual clinical breast examination by trained primary health care
worker from five years before the index case
• Annual mammogram/magnetic resonance imaging surveillance
beginning at the age of 35 years, or 5 years earlier than the
earliest breast cancer diagnosis in the family.
• Ovarian surveillance if BRCA1 or 2 mutation positive or family
history of ovarian cancer
[Pelvic exam, trans-vaginal ultrasound, CA-125 once or twice a
year starting at the age of 25 years.]

31
Prophylactic surgery:
• Prophylactic bilateral total mastectomy
-up to 90% reduction in breast cancer risk.
• Prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
-up to 95% reduction in ovarian cancer risk.
-up to 50% reduction in breast cancer risk.

Chemoprevention
• Tamoxifen/Raloxifene - selective estrogen receptor modulators
reduce cancer risk in BRCA2 carriers (still questionable in
BRCA1 carriers).

Horsman D,Wilson BJ, Avard D et al., on behalf of the National

Hereditary Cancer Task Force (NHCTF). Clinical Management
Recommendations for Surveillance and Risk-Reduction Strategies for
Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Among Individuals Carrying
a Deleterious BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutation. J Obstet Gynaecol Can
2007; 29(1):45-60.
All recommendations are level 2A evidence-based with uniform
NHCTF consensus.

WHERE TO REFER PATIENTS FOR GENETIC CONSULTATIONS:

Human Genetics Unit,
Faculty of Medicine,
University of Colombo,
Kynsey Road,
Colombo 08
Telephone: 0112689545
email: office@[Link]
Working hours: 08:00am – 04:00pm (Mondays to Fridays)

32
 Annex II
Psychological Considerations in the Management of Breast Symptoms
Dr Piyanjali de Zoysa
Senior lecturer in Clinical Psychology
Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo
For a vast majority, the possibility of a diagnosis of cancer is a very real
fear. In considering the emotional upheaval that this fearsome disease
arouses, it is essential that doctors take the utmost interest in uplifting
the psychological status of their patients who present with ‘suspicious’
breast symptoms and/or a diagnosis of breast cancer. This section gives
you some psychological aspects that we recommend you consider in the
management of breast symptoms.
Psychological aspects when motivating women to do regular breast self
examinations (BSE)

• We are aware that a majority of Sri Lankan women are not

informed of the need for regular BSE. Hence, It is the duty of her
doctor to inform her of this necessity.
• In notifying a woman of this necessity, it is important that the
doctor gives her clear information (i) about what a cancer
is, (ii) what breast cancer is, (iii) that the prognosis is good if
cancer is detected early, (iv) the need for regular BSE, (v)what
indicators to look out for when doing so, (vi) how to do the
BSE, and (vi) the need to immediately inform the doctor if any
suspicious indicators are detected.
• When giving the above information, be focused and serious but
do not evoke undue fear as the latter may actually prevent the
woman doing the BSE. You have to balance your approach.
Psychological aspects when motivating women to do regular clinical
breast examinations (CBE)
• Being a traditional culture, many Sri Lankan women would fee
uncomfortable when the necessity of doing a CBE is presented
to her. Even when done so by a female doctor.
• Hence, the doctor should be careful when introducing the need
for a CBE. Give the woman clear information on the necessity to
do this and inform her that it would be done by a female doctor.
This latter aspect may make her comfortable with the idea.
• When introducing the need for a CBS, be focused and serious
but do not evoke undue fear as the latter may actually prevent
the woman in getting the CBE done.

33
 • When doing the CBE, keep your facial expression and body
posture friendly, relaxed and neutral. Even if anything suspicious
is detected, do not show any worry. This point is essential. Do
not in anyway indicate to the woman that you are worried about
the findings. As this may affect her psychological health and
make her worried prematurely and unnecessarily. But also,do not
seem casual if you indeed detect anything suspicious as this may
not motivate her to go onto do further investigations. You have
to keep your attitude in balance.
Psychological aspects when referring the woman for further
investigations
• The manner in which you do the referral for further investigations,
after finding anything suspicious at the CBE, should be done
delicately. You should not raise undue worry in the woman. Nor
should you appear casual, as if the referral is a routine one, as
the woman may interpret that there is nothing to worry about
her condition.
• Communicate to the woman in a clear, focused and gentle
manner that you need her to do some further investigations. You
could inform her that it is part of the routine care process, but
you must also be firm when you say so as some women may not
go on to do the further investigations.
• Inform the woman clearly where she needs to go to in order to
do these routine investigations. And, give her an appointment
for her to come back to you once these investigations are done.
This latter aspect is intended to bind the woman to come back
to you. This means that there is a higher chance that she
will do these investigations.
Psychological aspects if a diagnosis of cancer is made
• If the woman comes to you with a diagnosis of a malignancy,
she would then already know about the process she needs to
follow in her course of treatment. Or, you may need to inform
her of this.
• There will be an enormous amount of emotional disturbance
the woman would feel at this stage. This is normal and is to
be expected. Her life will be in shatters now. As her doctor,
you need to give her kind hearing ear to her feelings about her
unexpected condition. Of course this may take up a considerable
amount of your time. However, it is essential that you devote
your time to this process, nevertheless. For,we know that talking
about ones fears and worries, particularly with a trustworthy and
knowledgeable doctor is very therapeutic.

34
 • If you feel that you are not inclined to talking with the woman
about her diagnosis, try to develop empathy. One of the best
ways to develop empathy is to consider if you were the one with
the diagnosis and if so how you may be feeling at that moment.
• When talking to the patient, encourage and give her hope for the
future. Site examples of those whom you know who had gone
on towards ‘recovery’.
• In the event that the prognosis is not that good, it is important
not to inculcate undue hope but also not to make the patient
despair. In this situation, a listening ear, by the doctor is a must
and maybe the only solace the woman may have.
• At all cost, avoid developing guilt in the woman. Do not tell
her what she should have done (e.g. that she should have done
the CBE much earlier on in life) that could have minimized her
diagnosis. Blaming and developing guilt does not help anyone,
and especially not a woman with e breast cancer.

Kindness and compassion are essential requisites in a doctor. A doctor

so endowed would be a pillar of strength to a patient. This is particularly
so when it comes to the domain of cancer. Your approach to the patient
would make a vast difference in her life. By being kind and compassionate
towards the patient, it is not only she who would benefit, so will you. By
being kind and compassionate towards those whom you serve will uplift
you and make your life more meaningful, the goal that all of us human
beings strive for.

35
 Annex III
Management of Breast Cancer at tertiary care level
Dr Kanishka De Silva
Consultant Onco-surgeon
National Cancer Institute, Maharagama
1. Diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on clinical, radiological and pathological
examinations. Clinical examination includes bimanual palpation of the
breasts and loco-regional lymph nodes. Radiological examinations include
bilateral mammography and ultrasound of the breasts (and regional lymph
nodes depending on local expertise). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of
the breast is not needed as a routine procedure, but may be considered in
cases involving diagnostic challenges arising, for example, because of dense
breast tissue especially in young women or where multiple tumour foci are
suspected, in particular with lobular breast cancer. Pathological diagnosis
should be based on core needle biopsy obtained by manual, or preferably
by ultrasound or stereotactic, guidance. A core needle biopsy (or, if that
is not possible, at least a fine needle aspiration indicating carcinoma) must
be obtained before any surgical operation. If preoperative chemotherapy is
anticipated, a core needle biopsy is preferred. Final pathological diagnosis
should be made according to the World Health Organization (WHO)
classification and the tumour–node–metastases (TNM) staging system
analysing all tissue removed.
2. Staging and risk assessment
Patient-related staging assessment includes complete personal medical
history, family history relating to breast/ovarian and other cancers, physical
examination, full blood count, liver and renal function tests, alkaline
phosphatase and calcium. Assessing the menopausal status is imperative
[if in doubt by measuring serum oestradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH) levels].
Preoperative disease-related staging includes clinical TNM staging,
pathological examination of the core needle biopsy with a pathologist’s
report on histological type and grade, needle cytology of axillary nodes if
involvement is suspected clinically or on ultrasound, and determination of
oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR) and HER2 receptor
status. Alternatively, these biological markers can be assessed on the
definitive surgical specimen if primary systemic therapy is not planned.
If preoperative (neoadjuvant) systemic therapy is planned, additional
investigations such as chest X-ray, abdominal ultrasound or CT scan and
bone scintigraphy should be considered to exclude metastatic disease.
These investigations are also recommended for patients with clinically
positive axillary nodes, large tumours (e.g. >5 cm) or clinical signs,
symptoms or laboratory values indicating the presence of metastases, even
if preoperative systemic treatment is not planned.
The postoperative pathological assessment of the surgical specimen should
be made according to the pTNM system to include: number, location and
maximum diameter of tumours removed, the total number of removed
and number of positive lymph nodes, and the extent of metastases in the
lymph nodes. The report should also include histological type and grade
of the tumour, evaluation of the resection margins including the location

36
and minimum distance of the margin, vascular and lympho-vascular
invasion; immunohistochemical evaluation of ER, PgR and HER2 receptor
expression.
3. Treatment by disease stage
Multidisciplinary treatment planning involving at least a breast surgeon,
radiologist, pathologist, and medical and radiation oncologists should be
used.
3.1 Surgery:
About two-thirds of newly diagnosed cancers are amenable to breast
conservation (wide local excision and radiotherapy), but in the remaining
third mastectomy is still recommended because of larger tumour size,
or tumour multifocality / multicentricity, and prior radiation to the chest
wall or breast.
3.1.1 Breast conservation surgery (BCS):
For patients undergoing wide local excision, greater emphasis is now
placed on achieving acceptable cosmesis. Newer volume displacement
techniques using adjacent breast tissues, have allowed surgeons to get a
wider clearance maintaining an acceptable cosmesis. Newer oncoplastic
procedures such as therapeutic mammoplasty (breast reduction at the
same time as wide local tumour excision) can achieve better cosmetic
outcomes in patients with large breasts. Postoperative radiotherapy is
strongly recommended after BCS.
3.1.2 Mastectomy:
European treatment guidelines recommend that breast reconstruction
should be available to those women requiring mastectomy. Immediate
reconstruction in some women can make the prospect of losing a breast
easier to accept, but not all women will be suitable for immediate
reconstruction. When post-mastectomy radiation therapy is anticipated,
some women will be advised against immediate reconstruction as there
is a possibility of flap sinkage with radiation. Skin-sparing and nipple
sparing mastectomy allows the skin envelope to be conserved for use in
the breast reconstruction.
3.1.3 Advances in axillary staging:
Regional lymph node status remains the strongest predictor of long-term
prognosis in primary breast cancer. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB)
rather than full nodal clearance is now accepted as the safe procedure
of care for axillary staging in early breast cancer, unless axillary node
involvement is suspected clinically or on ultrasound.
SLNB delivers less morbidity in terms of shoulder stiffness and arm
swelling, and allows for reduced hospital stay.
The presence of macrometastatic spread in the sentinel node traditionally
mandates conventional axillary lymph node clearance. Axillary clearance
is associated with lymphedema affecting the upper limb in 3–5% of
women following surgery alone, but the incidence of lymphedema
rises significantly to 40% when axillary clearance is combined with
radiotherapy to the axilla. Women who have undergone axillary clearance
are advised to avoid cannulation, venesection and blood pressure
monitoring in the ipsilateral arm, and to start antibiotic treatment promptly

37
for potentially infected wounds on the ipsilateral arm. Once established,
lymphedema should be treated by trained therapists using a combination
of compression bandaging, manual lymphatic drainage and graduated
compression garments.
3.1.4 Surgery for in situ malignancy (intraepithelial neoplasia):
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS, ductal intraepithelial neoplasia) may
be treated with BCS providing clear resection margins can be achieved
(margins <1 mm are considered inadequate). Adjuvant breast irradiation
after BCS decreases the risk of local recurrence but has no effect on
survival. Total mastectomy with clear margins in DCIS is curative, and
radiation therapy is not recommended. Axillary node evaluation with
SLNB is not required with in situ malignancy but may be reasonable in
the context of large tumours requiring mastectomy or tumours in the tail
of the breast. Lobular neoplasia (formerly called lobular carcinoma in situ,
LCIS), unlike DCIS, is considered a non-obligate precursor to invasive
cancer and is best regarded as a risk factor for future development
of invasive cancer in both breasts. The pleomorphic variant of lobular
neoplasia may behave similarly to DCIS and should be treated accordingly.
3.1.5 Risk-reducing mastectomy:
Risk-reducing surgery with prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and
reconstruction (with or without oophorectomy) may be an option for
women at very high risk, such as those with previous chest wall irradiation
for lymphoma or carrying the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations. The
lifetime risk of breast cancer in a BRCA1 carrier is 80–85%, with a 60%
chance that the cancer will be bilateral. The risk for both subsequent
breast cancer incidence and mortality is reduced by 90–95%, but surgery
cannot guarantee prevention of developing breast cancer in the future.
In addition, mutations in BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 account for around 15%
of ovarian cancers overall. Careful genetic assessment and psychological
counselling is mandatory before undertaking such surgery.
3.1.6 Surgery after primary systemic therapy
Down-sizing of a large unifocal primary tumour with neoadjuvant therapy
will allow BCS to be undertaken in some patients who would at presentation
have otherwise required mastectomy. With multifocal disease, or where
the primary tumour size reduction is more limited, mastectomy will still
be required. Breast MRI is the most accurate modality for assessing the
extent of residual disease following neoadjuvant treatment.
3.2 Radiation therapy:
3.2.1 Invasive carcinoma:
[Link] Radiation therapy after BCS: Whole breast radiotherapy
Postoperative radiotherapy is strongly recommended after BCS. Whole
breast radiotherapy reduces the risk of local recurrence by two-thirds
and an additional boost gives a further 50% risk reduction. Furthermore,
radiotherapy has a beneficial effect on survival. In patients >70 years
of age who have endocrine-responsive invasive breast cancer with
maximum stage pT1N0 and clear margins, it may be possible to omit
radiation therapy without compromising survival.

38
[Link] Accelerated partial breast irradiation (PBI) only
PBI is an attractive approach to shorten the overall treatment time
substantially. PBI is considered an acceptable treatment option in patients
at least 50 years old with unicentric, unifocal node-negative non-lobular
breast cancer up to 3 cm in size without the presence of an extensive
intraductal component and lymphovascular invasion, and with negative
margins of at least 2 mm.
[Link] Radiation after mastectomy
Postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) is always recommended for
patients with four or more positive axillary nodes, and indicated for
patients with T3–T4 tumours independent of the nodal status. PMRT may
also be considered in patients with 1–3 positive axillary lymph nodes in
the presence of additional risk factors, such as young age, vessel invasion
and low number of examined axillary lymph nodes.
3.2.2 Non-invasive carcinoma (intraepithelial neoplasia)
Adjuvant whole breast irradiation after BCS of DCIS decreases the risk
of local recurrence but has no effect on survival. The decrease in risk
of local recurrence by radiotherapy is evident in all subtypes of DCIS.
However, in some patients with low-risk DCIS (tumour size <10 mm, low/
intermediate nuclear grade, adequate surgical margins), the risk of local
recurrence following excision only is so low that omitting radiation may be
an option. In ER-positive DCIS, Tamoxifen may be considered following
BCS (with or without adjuvant radiation). Total mastectomy with clear
margins in DCIS is curative, and radiation therapy is not recommended.
In this group of patients Tamoxifen may also be considered to decrease
the risk of contralateral breast cancer. Lobular neoplasia (formerly called
LCIS) is a risk factor for future development of invasive cancer in both
breasts; radiotherapy is not warranted, perhaps with an exception for the
pleomorphic subtype.
3.3 Systemic therapy
3.3.1 Adjuvant systemic therapy
ER and HER2 status are the most relevant predictive factors for the choice
of treatment modality. Tumours with any detectable expression of ER and/
or PgR by IHC are considered hormone- receptor positive. Tumours with
no detectable expression of ER and PgR are considered hormone receptor
negative or endocrine non-responsive. Features indicative of uncertainty of
endocrine responsiveness include low levels of steroid hormone receptor
immunoreactivity, lack of PgR, poor differentiation, high proliferation
markers, HER2 overexpression and high gene expression score results. In
the absence of all these features, tumours are considered highly endocrine
responsive.
Patients with tumours of different degrees of endocrine responsiveness
may receive endocrine treatment alone, or a combination of chemotherapy
and endocrine therapy. Patients with tumours of uncertain endocrine
responsiveness are usually treated with a combination of endocrine
therapy and chemotherapy.
Patients with endocrine-non-responsive tumours benefit from chemotherapy
and should not receive endocrine therapy. In addition to endocrine therapy and
chemotherapy, patients with tumours indicative of HER2 overexpression or
amplification should be considered for adjuvant treatment with Trastuzumab
and chemotherapy.

39
3.3.2 Endocrine therapy
Patients with tumours considered of high or uncertain responsiveness
should be treated with endocrine therapy.
3.3.3 Chemotherapy
Adjuvant chemotherapy is recommended for patients with tumours of
uncertain or absent endocrine responsiveness and for patients with
HER2-overexpressing or amplified tumours. If both chemotherapy and
endocrine therapy are indicated, chemotherapy should be started first
followed by endocrine therapy.
3.3.4 Systemic adjuvant therapy for ductal intraepithelial neoplasia (DCIS)
Tamoxifen reduces the risk of invasive and non-invasive recurrences
after breast-conserving resection of ER-positive DCIS but has no impact
on survival.
3.3.5 Primary (neoadjuvant) systemic therapy
Primary systemic therapy is indicated for locally advanced breast cancer
(stages IIIA–B) including inflammatory breast cancer and for large
operable tumours for reducing tumour size in order possibly to perform
BCS. Prior to primary systemic therapy, a core needle biopsy and
complete pathological assessment (i.e. histological type, grade, ER, PgR
and HER2 status) is essential. In addition, full clinical staging to rule out
gross metastatic disease is recommended.
3.4 follow-up: ASCO GUIDELINE UPDATE
Breast Cancer Follow-Up and Management after Primary Treatment:
American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline Update
Key Recommendations
• Regular history, physical examination, and mammography are
recommended
• Examinations should be performed every 3 to 6 months for
the first 3 years, every 6 to 12 months for years 4 and 5, and
annually thereafter
• For women who have undergone breast-conserving surgery, a
post-treatment mammogram should be obtained 1 year after
the initial mammogram and at least 6 months after completion
of radiation therapy (whichever the longest); thereafter, unless
otherwise indicated, a yearly mammographic evaluation should
be performed
• Use of CBCs, chemistry panels, bone scans, chest radio-graphs,
liver ultrasounds, computed tomography scans, magnetic
resonance imaging, or tumour markers (carcinoembryonic
antigen,CA 15-3, and CA 27.29) is not recommended forroutine
breast cancer follow-up in an otherwise asymptomatic patient
with no specific findings on clinical examination.

40
 Annex IV
In the fight to win against lymphoedema in breast cancer
[Link] Muthukumarana MD
National Cancer Control Programme
Background and objectives
Despite the improvement in early detection and management, there
is a significant morbidity related to breast cancer in Sri Lanka. Upper
extremity lymphoedema is one of the main complications responsible for
this morbidity. Lymphedema is the physical manifestation of inadequate
lymph flow leading to tissue swelling. Fluid transport is impaired primarily
by removal of lymphatic channels and nodes during resection of tumour
and nodal sampling, resulting in accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the
interstitium. The stagnant fluid can lead to progressive changes in the
tissue and places the limb at risk for infection.
Primary care physicians provide care for most survivors of breast cancer
in many areas of Sri Lanka. The overall goal of this article is to offer
insight into the confidence in their abilities to manage lymphoedema in
evidence based manner.
Symptoms of lymphoedema
• Fullness, tightness or heaviness in an extremity,
• Inability to wear rings, bracelets or other jewellery,
• Clothing feeling tight
• Altered sensation.
Assessment of lymphoedema
Preoperative, bilateral upper extremity function should be assessed to
provide a baseline
Simple circumferential tape measurements (Pre-and postoperative).
Circumferential measurements should be taken at 4 points:
• the metacarpal-phalangeal joints,
• the wrists,
• 10 cm distal to the lateral epicondyles, and
• 12 cm proximal to the lateral epicondyles (Harris SR, 2001).
A difference of more than 2.0 cm at any of the 4 measurement points
may warrant treatment of the lymphedema, provided that tumour
involvement of the axilla or brachial plexus, infection, and axillary vein
thrombosis have been ruled out (Harris SR, 2001). Patients with less
of a measurement difference between their extremities (pre-clinical
lymphedema) may also benefit from skilled therapy interventions as well,
especially if they present with reduced range of motion, strength, and/or
functional limitations.
Treatment for lymphoedema
Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is the main treatment for
lymphedema. Experts who treat lymphedema consider CDT as the “gold
standard” of treatment (Mayrovitz, 2009),
Components of CDT
• Manual lymph drainage (MLD)
• Multi-layer, short-stretch compression bandaging
• Lymphatic exercise
• Skin care
• Education in lymphedema self-management and elastic
compression garments.

41
Manual lymph drainage (MLD)
MLD is a light, skin technique performed by certified lymphedema
therapists designed to improve fluid removal from congested areas
where the lymphatics are not working properly and into lymph vessels
and lymph nodes that are functioning (McNeely, 2004).
Lymphatic exercise
With lymphedema, specific exercise is beneficial for all patients. Although
heavy activity may temporarily increase fluid load, appropriate exercise
enables the person with lymphedema to resume activity while minimizing
the risk of exacerbation of swelling. For people who have lymphedema,
compression garments or compression bandages must be worn during
exercise to counterbalance the build-up of interstitial fluid (Schmitz,
2009)
Considerations for designing an exercise program:
• Allowing adequate rest intervals between sets
• Avoiding weights that wrap tightly around an extremity
or clothing that causes constriction.
• Wearing compression sleeves or bandages during exercise
• Maintaining hydration
• Avoiding extreme heat or overheating
Skin and nail care
Thorough hygiene is recommended to decrease the infection on the skin.
Low pH moisturizers will help to keep skin from drying and cracking.
Damage to skin can result in infections and wounds which might lead
to cellulites. Generally, injections, vaccinations, venipuncture, and
intravenous access in the axillary-dissected upper extremity have been
contraindicated (Susan R. Harris, 2012).

Bandaging
The patient should receive two bandages at a time
for each affected body part: one to wear and one to
wash and dry. Having two bandages ensures that
the patient does not wear a dirty or wet garment
which promotes bacterial or fungal infection.
Properly-fitted bandages are essential for long-term
control of lymphedema. It should be washed daily
so that they will be long lasting.
How to measure the compression garment:
Begin by relaxing the arm and resting it on a
table, bending it slightly to create a small bend
in the elbow. The arm should not be completely
straight, or fully bent. Hold measuring tape around
the wrist, going over the ulnar styloid process
on the outside. Pull tape to the point of gentle
tension; there should be no slack, but do not pull
so hard that the tape creates an indentation and
write down this measurement. Next, move the
measuring tape up the arm so that it goes around
the area of the forearm that is directly between the
wrist and the elbow crease (mid-forearm, D). Use

42
the same amount of gentle tension and record the measurement. Take
measurement at elbow crease. Finally, bring the measuring tape to the
upper part of the arm, halfway between the elbow and the armpit (mid-
upper arm F).If there is extra skin here, gather it together as much as
possible and hold the tape a bit tighter so that all the skin is encircled
evenly. Take final circumferential measurement 2 finger widths (2cm)
below the axilla. The length measurement is taken along the inside of
the arm from the wrist to 2cm (2 finger widths) below the axilla (G) to
determine whether a short, standard or longer length garment is required.
Measure from G to outside of bra strap, point H,for shoulder cap option
For an integrated hand piece without fingers,measure the hand at points
A and B. According to the measurements taken choose the bandage size
accordingly.

B C D E F G
SIZE(cm) 13-16 16-20 20-24 24-28 28-36 36-48
Wrist small medium large
Elbow small medium large
Ankle Small/med Med/large
Knee small medium large X large
Thigh small medium

Patient education
Since lymphedema is a life-long condition, patient education in
self-management is very important. To reduce the risk of developing
lymphedema or having lymphedema worsen, all patients with lymphedema
or at-risk for lymphedema should be instructed in essential self care.
References
Harris SR, H.M.O.I., 2001. Upper extremity rehabilitation after axillary
dissection for the treatment of breast cancer: clinical practice guidelines.
Crit Rev Phys Med Rehab, 13(2-3), pp.91-103
Mayrovitz, 2009. The standard of care for lymphedema: current concepts
and physiological considerations. Lymphat res biol, 7, p.101.
McNeely, M., 2004. The addition of manual lymph drainage to compression
therapy for breast cancer related lymphedema. Breast Cancer Res Treat,
86, pp. 95-106.
Schmitz KH, A.R.T.A.e.a., 2009. Weight lifting in women with breast-
cancer-related lymphedema.. N Engl J Med, 361(7), pp.664-73.
Susan R. Harris, K.H.S.M.L.M., 2012. Clinical Practice Guidelines for
Breast Cancer Rehabilitation. Cancer, 118(8).

43
 Annex V
Model Referral Form for Specialist Care for a Breast Symptom
Previous breast investigations
Name of the referring Primary Care Centre / Contact details of referring Primary Care Centre Investigation Date Finding
Family Physician / Family Practice USS
Mammography
Name of the referral centre (Name of the Date of referral
FNAC
Surgeon or Breast Clinic)
Other Medical history
Personal Details of the Patient
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
Name of the Patient Address of the Patient
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
Age Sex Marital status
Remarks
Clinical History
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Presenting complaint …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Breast lump Yes No Duration ……… Clinical Examination Findings

Breast Pain Yes No Breast

Cyclical Acyclical Duration ………

cystic lump
Nipple Abnormality R L solid lump

Nipple discharge Yes No Duration ………………. nodularity

skin indentation
If yes Blood stained Yes No or peau d’orange

Recent inversion Yes No Duration ……… inverted nipple

Rash Yes No Duration ………

Any other breast problem

General examination
………………………………………….
Risk factor assessment ««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««
««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««««
Family History Breast cancer Yes No Relationship …….. ….
Referral Note
Ovarian cancer Yes No Relationship …….. ….
Dr. ………………………………………………………
Endogenous Age at Menarche …….. (risk <11 years) Consultant Surgeon / Consultant Oncosurgeon
estrogen exposure
Age at Menopause ……. (risk > 55 years) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Parity ……….. (risk - nulliparity) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Age at first pregnancy ………… (risk >35 years) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Exogenous OCP Yes No Duration ………… (Risk > 5 years)
estrogen exposure
HRT Yes No Du ration ………… (Risk > 2 years)
……………………..
Previous breast Detailed information ………………………………………….
Signature of the Medical Officer / Family Physician
disease

Page 01 Page 02
 STATEMENT OF INTENT

The main purpose of this guideline is to improve the quality of clinical

care provided in the health institutions. This guideline is not intended
to be construed (understood) or to serve as a standard of medical care.
Standards of medical care are determined on the basis of all clinical data
available for an individual case and are subject to change as scientific
knowledge and technology advance and patterns evolve.

These parameters of practice should be considered recommendations

only. Adherence to them will not ensure a successful outcome in every
case, nor should they be construed as including all proper methods of
care or excluding other acceptable methods of care aimed at the same
results. The ultimate judgment regarding a particular clinical procedure
or treatment plan must be made by the doctor in light of the clinical data
presented by the patient and diagnostic and treatment options available.