Teaching Breast Exam to High Schoolers.

[janetpa]

I would like to teach breast examination to high school girls. I have the models that include abnormalities but was wondering if anyone has done this and how it was received?

Thanks

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

I think it is also important to teach students what may be abnormal and that is actually OK to talk about it.

This. If nothing else,it helps open up the conversation, and maybe, break down some communication barriers. While it may not have a statistically important outcome in the detection of breast/testicular cancer, it certainly may help teens articulate more openly when something may be wrong.

[Farawyn]

You guys have convinced me.

My boys' peds always did an exam on them, but I can see a lot of docs passing it by.

Thanks. I've learned something.

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

I think it is a good idea. Our peds doc does testicular exams yearly after grade 6 I believe, but they do not do breast exams. I found a lump in 10th grade, (it was a painful one, that's how I found it) thankfully just a cyst.

With the average recommended age for mammograms being 40, and so many being diagnosed earlier, this is could be helpful. My step-mother was diagnosed at age 35 and died at 39. Much too young.

[janetpa]

Update---the class went very well. One girl did not want to touch the silicon model but listened to the lecture part. I was prepared for unusual questions but they never came.