Know test yourself for breast cancer.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is the single most common cancer among women in the United States. The risk of breast cancer increases with age, especially after the age of 40, according to the Oncology Nursing Society. The Department of Health in the United Kingdom states that "early presentation of breast cancer improves outcomes." Breast cancer screening includes mammography, clinical breast examination and self breast examination. As a nurse, you are in prime position to educate and inform women about the benefits of breast cancer screening.
Guidelines
The American Cancer Society recommends that women over 40 be screened annually for breast cancer. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) recommends screening every one to three years. Women in at-risk groups are advised to seek expert medical advice regarding potential regular screening at an earlier stage in life.
It is recommended by both organizations that women of all ages conduct monthly self-examinations. There is no upper age limit on breast screening. Both organizations also recommend that the clinical breast exam be conducted around the time of the mammography so that one reinforces the results of the other.
Benefits of Screening
As a nurse, it is important to understand the guidelines and benefits of screening and to impart this knowledge to women. Benefits include the fact that regular screening means a higher chance of the cancer being detected early before it has spread to other parts of the body. In addition, regular screening means that there is a higher chance that if a small lump is found, the patient will have a higher chance of having it removed via lumpectomy, rather that removing the entire affected breast- mastectomy.
According to Macmillan Cancer Support, regular screening saves lives. Research by the National Cancer institute in the United Kingdom has shown that for every 500 women screened, one life is saved. According to the Nursing Times, breast cancer screening also allows for detection of precancerous lesions in the breast which then allow for treatment before potentially developing into cancer which happens in 50 percent of these cases.
Limitations of Screening
Nurses also need to be able to explain the limitations as with any other type of screening. Cancer can be missed (false negative); costs of follow-up treatment can be high; there is no guarantee of survival as some aggressive tumors can appear to be very small but may already have metastasized (migrated to another part of the body); there are certain limitations if a patient has breast implants which should be explained by the nurse.
Interpretation of Data
It is the position of the Oncology Nursing Society that the nurse interpret the scientific data regarding different types of breast screening to the patient in accordance with the literacy level and background of the patient.
Risk Assessment
According to the Oncology Nursing Society, the nurse should give advice relating to breast cancer screening only after a risk assessment has been carried out; although there are guidelines for screening, all women are different. It is the responsibility of the nurse to tailor the risk benefit discussion to the patient in accordance with the risk assessment of the individual patient. Why? So the patient can make an informed choice about breast cancer screening.
Tags: breast cancer, regular screening, breast cancer, cancer screening, higher chance, Nursing Society
