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NRSG 3225
Importance of Regular Breast Self-Examination and Mammogram
The cause of breast cancer is unknow so it is unpreventable. Therefore, early detection and treatment is critical for cure of breast cancer. In order to detect breast cancer at early stage, the regular breast self-examination and mammogram are important. The age of women, the presence of risk factors, and the past medical histories should be considered to decide the frequency and the starting age of these examinations.
Breast Self-Examination
It is important to encourage patients to check their breasts every month through breast self-examination. This self-examination should be done seven to ten days after the first day of the period when swelling has gone away. A monthly self-examination is an essential factor in decreasing mortality rates from breast cancer. Nevertheless, a lot of women are failing to practice regular breast self-examination because of embarrassment, lack of confidence, inadequate knowledge of the procedure or not remembering to do a breast self-examination. Nurses should emphasize the importance of breast self-examinations and teach how to perform them properly and what to do if a problem is detected.
Download MONTHLY BREAST SELF-EXAM Chart offered by Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
Mammograms
A mammogram is a breast x-ray. It is able to detect very small tumors at an early stage. According to the guideline by American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute, screening mammography for asymptomatic women starts from the age of forty, per year or every two years. An annual mammogram is recommanded for fifty-year old women or older.
Biopsy
A biopsy is used to obtain tiny samples from the lump and distinguish malignancy of the cell.Usually the patient who found a lump in her breast through the mammogram is referred to a biopsy test. According to Deanne (1997), women who are waiting for a biopsy test commonly become anxious about their risks of developing breast cancer and their lack of information about the procedure of diagnostic test. Nurse should provide information about the biopsy precedure and the options of treatment. Nurses also need to assess the level of anxiety, diversion and avoidance coping strategies, spiritual and interpersonal support and positive thinking methods to decrease these stress-related emotions.
Treatments
Surgical Therapy is a common option in the treatment fo breast cancer.
1) Breast Conservation Surgeryis the removal of the entire lump and surrounding tissue. This trement is only enable when tumor is less four centimeters. This surgery preserves the breast with the nipple.
2) Modified Radial Mastectomyis the removal of the breast and axillary lymph nodes. The surgery is performed when the tumor is too large. However, breast reconstruction is available after the surgery.
After surgery, the patient need a professional examination every 3 months for 2 years and every 6 months for the next 3 years. The women should continue breast self-examination and annual mammography.Nurses should encourage the patient to increase arm functioning on the affected part. During exercise, the patient can be frustrated and depressed due to the pain. Thus, nurses need to assess any difficulty or pain while exercising. As well, nurses should help to minimize her pain by administering pain medications about thirty minutes before exercising.
Radiation Therapy is an adjuvant option for local treatment fo breast cancer. Radiation destroys remaining malignant cells and decreases the rate of local recurrence. Moreover, it is used to reduce a large tumor to operable size and to relief pain from local recurrence and metastasis.
Chemotherapy is a systemic option in the treatment of breast cancer. Cytotoxic drugs are used to destroy and stop growing cancer cells. This therapy is the usual treatment for recurrent disease.
Hormone Therapy is another systemic option in the treatment of breast cancer. Estrogen promotes growth and development of breast cancer. Tamonoxifen citrate is used to block estrogen from binding with these receptors for women with estrogen receptor-positive so that it inhibits the growth-stimulating effects of breast cancer.
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