We wish to acknowledge the Breast Cancer
Detection program at Tucson, Arizona; and
Mary E. Pautz, R.N., M.P.H., Associate Clinical
Professor at the University of Wisconsin School
of Nursing, for their guidance in the design of this
Life
/
form
®
Breast Examination Simulator.
About the Simulator
The
Life
/
form
®
Breast Examination Simulator
allows you to demonstrate proper techniques for
breast examination in private or in group session
and enables a woman to practice self-examination
under the supervision of a health care professional
without embarrassment.
Special vinyl formulations have been used to cre-
ate the most lifelike look and feel possible. The
simulator allows women to practice all phases
of breast examination in both sitting and supine
positions. This lightweight simulator is designed
with a concave back to allow placement against
the patient for ease in demonstrating or practic-
ing palpation techniques.
List of Components
The
Life
/
form
®
Breast Examination Simulator
includes an American Cancer Society guide to
breast examination. To provide maximum life for
this simulator, it has been designed with replace-
able components. Replacement skin and breast
masses are available and can easily be installed.
Internal Structure
A. Fluid Breast Mass
In contrast to foam, which tends to compress
under palpation, a fluid material has been
used to simulate the breast mass. As you
depress the mass, it displaces laterally to give
realistic sensation.
B. Palpable Ribs
To provide more realism, the simulator has
been designed with palpable ribs. The fluid
breast mass will allow the student or patient
to palpate the chest wall and learn to dis-
tinguish the normal feeling of the ribs from
abnormalities.
C. Abnormalities
Both breasts include two different types of
abnormalities.
1. Left Breast
•
Small Nodularity — Located in the
upper, outer quadrant. Granular texture,
usually bilateral, and may be associated
with benign fibrocystic disease of the
breast.
•
Fibroadenoma — Located in the lower,
inside quadrant. Freely movable, “slip-
pery,” firm discrete mass usually benign,
but must be diagnosed by biopsy.
2. Right Breast
•
Fixed Lump — Located in the upper,
outer quadrant. Sometimes edges are
indiscrete, hard, nonmovable. Can be
indicative of malignancy.
•
Fluid-Filled Cyst — Located in the lower,
inside quadrant. Increased density in
breast caused by fibrous tissue. Can be
indicative of malignancy.
1
Small nodularity
Fixed lump
Fibroadenoma
Fluid-filled cyst
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