“KNOWING YOUR BREASTS MEANS NO BREAST CANCER” WELLNESS PROGRAM

Nursing Staff Hospital M Learning Center

Presenter: Mahalia Alexander

Date: 23/12/2013

Learning Objectives• Define wellness• Be able to organize and conduct a Breast Health Awareness Program within

your own setting

• Promote breast cancer awareness to staff nurses at Hospital M

• Discuss the anatomy and function of the breasts.

• Identify significance for breast examination

• Demonstrate techniques for breasts examinations.

Purpose of the wellness program• Increase the number of nurses who follow recommended

guidelines for early detection• Reduce the number of nurses diagnosed with late stage breast

cancer• Increase the number of nurses surviving breast cancer diagnosis

Wellness program delivery• Use visual aids and hand-outs

• Attend to logistics—room setup, quiet environment, no distractions, privacy

• Provide a list of resources for women to get more information about breast health and breast cancer

• Provide resources for getting help with a breast health question or problem

Definition of Wellness

• Wellness defined by Hatfield (2008) as, “the conscious and deliberate process by which people are actively involved in enhancing their well-being: intellectual, physical, social, emotional, occupational and spiritual” (Freund, 2000).

Implications for Wellness Program• The effectiveness of a Wellness Programme is to ensure that

employees maximize workplace performance by being in a stable state of emotional, physical and mental health

• The wellness program seeks to promote the health of nurses through health promotion and health education programs of monthly breast examination. In keeping with the current worldwide trend, the emphasis on health is on preventive measures and promotion of primary health care.

Female Breast Anatomy

Breast anatomy and Functions

8

Bacteria

NourishmentBloodVessels

Cell life

2

Waste products

LymphNodes

LymphVessels

3

Lobules Ducts Nipple

1

MilkLobules Ducts Nipple

1

What is Breast Cancer?• Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among

women in Trinidad and Tobago

• When diagnosed early, the chance of survival is greater. When the cancer is confined to the breast, the 5-year survival rate in highest among women

• Although more common among women over 40, younger women also can develop the disease.

• All women are at risk for breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Con’t• Worldwide, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths

for women aged 15 to 64.

• Worldwide, one person is diagnosed with breast cancer every 30 seconds.

• Worldwide, one person dies of breast cancer every 90 seconds.

Breast Cancer• The light circles represent normal breast cells, while the dark-

shaded circles represent cancerous breast cells. As the cancerous cells grow and multiply, they develop into a malignant tumour within the breast.

EARLY DETECTION1. Clinical Breast Examination

2. Mammogram

3. Monthly Breast Self Examination (BSE)

Factors that may increase your risk of breast cancer• Getting older — the older you get, the greater your risk of

breast cancer• Having an inherited mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 breast

cancer genes• Having a previous biopsy showing hyperplasia or carcinoma in

situ• Family history of breast cancer• Having high breast density on a mammogram• Being exposed to large amounts of radiation, such as having

very frequent spine X-rays during scoliosis treatment or treatment for Hodgkin’s disease at a young age

• Personal history of breast or ovarian cancer

Factors that may increase your risk of breast cancer• Starting menopause after age 55• Never having children• Having your first child after age 35• High bone density• Being overweight after menopause or gaining weight as an

adult • Having more than one drink of alcohol per day• Currently or recently using combined estrogen and progesterone

hormone replacement therapy (HRT)• Being younger than 12 at the time of your first period• Current or recent use of birth control pills

Signs and symptoms of Breast Cancer• Lump, hard knot or thickening • Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening • Change in the size or shape of nipple or breast• Dimpling or puckering of the skin• Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple• Pulling in of your nipple or other parts • Nipple discharge that starts suddenly• New pain in one spot that does not go away• Pain or tenderness not associated with menstrual cycle

BREAST EXAMINATION

Once every month starting at the age of 20

Frequency of CBE

20 – 39 yrs- Every 3 years

40 yrs -Every Year

Breast Examination

• Indirect evidence supports the effectiveness of CBE, especially when women are screened with both CBE and mammography (Andaz 2003)

• The proper technique includes• Positioning• Thoroughness of the search• Vertical-strip search pattern• Proper position and movement of the fingers• CBE duration of at least 3 minutes per breast

LOOKING IN THE MIRROR

INSPECT FORSkin changes

Redness

Visible bumps

Nipple crusting

Symmetry

FEELING

Feeling

• Examine each breast separately

• Use pads of fingers not the tips

• Examine the armpits

Patterns

Breast self-examination con’t

• A careful exam of an average-sized breast takes 3 minutes

• A well-conducted CBE can detect 50% of asymptomatic cancers and may contribute to reduction of mortality rate (Roybal 2003)

Conclusion

• Research has shown that monthly breast examination when performed properly has benefits to women worldwide (Freund, 2000). Breast cancer education, early detection and treatment can prevent cancer and /or debilitating complications (Freund, 2000).

References

• Employee Wellness Programs. (2007). Retrieved December 21, 2011, from http://www.employee-wellness-programs.com/employee-wellness-program.html

• Freund, K. M. (2000). Rationale and Technique of Clinical Breast Examination: Management of the Patient With Lumpy Breasts. Medscape General Medicine.

• Orem, D. (2011, January 4). Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Theory. Retrieved August 30, 2011, from Nursing Theories: Http??currentnursing.com/nursingtheory/self/self_care_deficit_theory.html

• Sullivan, S. (2000). Wellness Programs. Retrieved December 21, 2011, from e-HResources.com: http://www.e-hresources.com/Articles/Nov2.htm