"Hello, I’m [Your Name], one of the doctors/nurses. I understand you've come in today because you've noticed a lump in your breast. Is that correct?"
"Before we go any further, what are your thoughts about what this lump might be, or what could be causing it?"
"It's very common to feel worried when you find a lump. Is there anything in particular that's concerning you, or anything you were hoping we could achieve today?"
"Could you please tell me exactly where this lump is? Can you point to it?"
"When did you first notice this lump, and did it appear suddenly or gradually?"
"How would you describe the lump? Is it soft or hard? Smooth or irregular? Does it feel like it moves around freely, or does it feel fixed in place?"
"Is the lump painful? If so, can you describe the pain? Does it spread anywhere else, and does it change with your menstrual cycle?"
"Have you noticed any other changes in your breast? For example, any discharge from the nipple? If so, what color is it, and does it happen on its own or when you squeeze it?"
"Have you noticed any changes to the nipple itself, like it turning inwards (inversion)? Or any changes to the skin of the breast, like dimpling, redness, or looking like an orange peel?"
"How has the lump changed since you first noticed it? Has it gotten bigger, smaller, or stayed the same? Does its size or discomfort relate to your periods, if you're still having them?"
"I also need to ask about some important 'red flag' symptoms, which are rare but important to check for. Have you had any bleeding from the nipple? Any new nipple inversion? Any skin breakdown or ulceration on the breast? Have you had any unexplained weight loss, new lumps in your armpit or neck, or any new bone pain?"
"Have you ever had any breast lumps before, or any previous breast biopsies? Have you ever been diagnosed with breast cancer?"
"Have you had any other medical conditions that I should know about?"
"Have you ever had any operations or procedures, especially any radiation to your chest area in the past?"
"To get a full picture, I also need to ask a few questions about your menstrual and reproductive history. When did you have your first period? When did you go through menopause, if applicable? Have you had any pregnancies, and did you breastfeed?"
"Are you currently taking any medications, including anything prescribed by a doctor, or any over-the-counter medicines, supplements, or herbal remedies? Specifically, are you taking any oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy?"
"Do you have any allergies to medications or anything else?"
"Does anyone in your close family – like your mother, sister, or father – have a history of breast, ovarian, or bowel cancer? If so, how old were they when they were diagnosed?"
"To understand your general situation, could you tell me a little about your living situation and who you live with? Are you able to manage all your daily activities? What kind of work do you do, and has this lump affected your ability to work?"
"Do you smoke, and if so, how much? How much alcohol do you drink in a week? Do you use any recreational drugs?"
"Thank you very much for sharing all of that information with me. Just to summarise, you've noticed a [describe lump characteristics] lump in your [location] breast, which you first noticed [onset]. You've also mentioned [recap relevant associated symptoms, PMH/DH/FH/SH]."
"Does that sound like an accurate summary? Is there anything else you feel is important that we haven't covered?"
"Based on what you've told me, the next steps would be for me to perform a physical examination of your breasts, and then we would likely arrange for some imaging, such as a mammogram or ultrasound, and potentially a biopsy to understand the nature of the lump."
"Do you have any questions for me at this stage?"
"Thank you for your time."