Nursing roles in cancer prevention position statements

Defining the role of the nurse in population-based cancer screening programs

Nurses are pivotal in cancer prevention and early detection, but the nurse's role in cancer screening programs has been described only in very general terms without specification of activities needed to develop the role. To identify the set of activities that compose the role of the cancer screening nurse, the authors of the current article performed a critical descriptive literature review to document nursing involvement in cancer screening, covering articles published from 2000-2012. A total of 726 potentially relevant studies were identified, and 22 of those were included in the review. Nurses carry out follow-up, coordinate treatment, ensure continuity throughout the process, provide up-to-date and pertinent information to facilitate patient knowledge and choice, work to ensure coordination among the various levels of care, provide ongoing training, lead research and publications concerning daily practice, and collaborate in investigation oriented toward early detection. The literature revealed that the nurse's role in cancer screening involves case management as the main activity as well as, exceptionally, carrying out diagnostic tests.

Predictors of breast self-examination as cancer prevention practice among women of reproductive age-group in a rural town in Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Early detection of breast cancer plays an important role in decreasing its morbidity and mortality. This study therefore examines the factors influencing breast self-examination (BSE) awareness and practices among women in Ogun state, Western Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted between 22 April and 13 May 2013 using a semi- structured questionnaire. A multi-stage cluster sampling technique was used to select one participant per household into the study.

RESULTS

A total of 495 women were interviewed in this study, the mean age of the respondents was 36.45 ± 5.12 years. About half (58.2%) of respondents have heard of BSE and 24.4% have ever perform BSE. Only 5.3% of our respondents perform BSE regularly (monthly) as recommended. Barrier to non-performance of BSE were perception of not being at risk (47.6%), lack of knowledge of how to perform BSE (47.6%). Only 18.5% of respondents have ever had their breast examined by physicians for lump and all of them had continued to perform BSE afterwards. The only predictor of awareness and practice of breast self-examination was tertiary level of education [odds ratio (OR) = 1.43 cumulative incidence (CI) = 1.12-2.18].

CONCLUSION

The study shows level of education, smoking habits and history of breast exam by health professional and were the factors found associated with BSE practice. Training on BSE should be given to women especially during antenatal care in order to increase the practice of BSE thus averting the severe morbidity and mortality of breast cancer in developing countries.

Breast self examination practice and breast cancer risk perception among female university students in Ajman

Breast cancer is the top cancer in women worldwide and its incidence is increasing, particularly in developing countries. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), many cases are first diagnosed in later stages and at younger age compared to those seen in developed countries. Early detection in order to improve breast cancer outcome and survival remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. Performance of breast self examination is one of the important steps for identifying breast disease at an early stage, by the woman herself. No information has hitherto been available about the frequency of this practice among female university students in UAE or about their breast cancer risk perception and therefore the present study was conducted in Ajman. It was found that 22.7% of the participants practiced BSE but only 3% of them practiced BSE monthly. Marital status but not age as significantly associated with age likelihood. The most frequent reported barriers for BSE were lack of knowledge, considering oneself not at risk and the absence of doctor advice. These factors need to be taken into account in intervention efforts.

How do nurses and teachers perform breast self-examination: are they reliable sources of information?

Background

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine and compare knowledge, behavior and attitudes among female nurses and teachers concerning breast self-examination (BSE).

Methods

Two-hundred and eighty nine women working in Aydin, Turkey (125 nurses and 164 teachers) were included in the study. The data were collected using a questionnaire designed to measure the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of the groups. Analysis involved percentiles, χ² tests, t tests and factor analysis.

Results

The knowledge of nurses about BSE was higher than that of teachers (81.5% versus 45.1%; p < 0.001). BSE practice parameters (i.e. age groups, indications, frequency) were similar (p > 0.05), whereas skills in performing self-examination were higher in nurses (p < 0.001). Fear of having breast cancer is the most frequent reason for performing BSE. Among nurses, the reasons for failure to perform BSE were the absence of prominent breast problems (82%) and forgetting (56.4%). The teachers who did not perform BSE said that the reasons were lack of knowledge on how to perform self-examination (68.9%) and absence of problems (54%). Both groups had unacceptable technical errors in the performance of BSE.

Conclusion

We conclude that nurses and teachers should be supported with information enabling them to accomplish their roles in the community. To improve BSE practice, it is crucial to coordinate continuous and planned education.

The effects of breast self-exam education on the performance of nursing and midwifery students: a 6-month follow-up study

BACKGROUND

Late detection of breast cancer is still a leading cause of morbidity among patients. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of preplanned breast self-examination (BSE) training on nursing and midwifery students.

METHODS

A total of 74 first-year nursing and midwifery students were trained on BSE. Data were collected before and after BSE education by a modified questionnaire.

RESULTS

The BSE accuracy of the students was increased after education. Furthermore, positive attitude and behavior of the students toward BSE were improved. The students started to practice BSE with the right techniques and positions at the right time. The main reasons not to perform BSE were the lack of knowledge and motivation prior the education.

CONCLUSIONS

BSE training is effective in nursing and midwifery students but should be repeated periodically for better efficacy.

Recruiting participants to cancer prevention clinical trials: lessons from successful community oncology networks

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To describe the organizational designs and task environments of community oncology networks with high accrual rates to cancer prevention clinical trials.

DESIGN

Replicated case study design; structural contingency theory.

SETTING

Local Community Clinical Oncology Programs (CCOPs) funded by the National Cancer Institute to test preventive and therapeutic interventions in community settings.

SAMPLE

Primary sample: oncology professionals affiliated with four CCOPs ranking among the top 10 in earned cancer control accrual credits in fiscal years 1999-2003. Secondary sample: oncology professionals affiliated with three CCOPs ranking among the top 10 three to four times during the study period. A total of 63 people participated in the interviews.

METHODS

Primary sample: on-site interviews with CCOP investigators, clinical research staff, and nononcology physicians. Secondary sample: telephone interviews with each CCOP's nurse administrator and at least one prevention research nurse.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

Staffing patterns, organizational processes, recruitment strategies, and environmental characteristics.

FINDINGS

All of the CCOPs employed dedicated prevention research staff. Recruitment through media publicity, mass mailings, or group information sessions worked best when prevention trials had flexible eligibility requirements and evaluated interventions with few health risks. Prevention trials evaluating agents with known toxicities in high-risk populations required more targeted recruitment through cancer screening programs, physician referral networks, and one-on-one discussions with protocol candidates.

CONCLUSIONS

High-performing CCOPs configured their structures, processes, and recruitment strategies to fit with accrual goals. They also benefited from stable and supportive task environments.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Nurse-coordinated research networks have great potential to generate new knowledge about cancer prevention that can reduce cancer incidence and mortality significantly.