Breast Cancer Diagnosis: The Psychosocial and Educational Needs

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What are the psychosocial and educational needs of a breast cancer patient?

In the United States, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer that women are diagnosed with (Stephens, Osowski, Fidale, & Spagnoli, 2008). Those diagnosed tend to go through stages of fear, disbelief, shock, and sadness. “Nurses can improve the quality of care for women with breast cancer and their families by providing additional support services and post-treatment information during the initial education and follow-up call”(Stephens, Osowski, Fidale, & Spagnoli, 2008). Psychosocial issues can interfere with the patient’s ability to cope with their treatment and may cause anxiety, panic, vulnerability, and even isolation. Nurses need to be aware of patients' educational and psychosocial needs during this time. They may be the only support that a cancer patient has.

Nursing Process

Assessment

There is a lot of evidence supporting the needs of patients diagnosed with breast cancer. The most effective way to support a breast cancer patient is to assess their specific psychosocial needs on an individual basis. All patients will not express the same needs, so it is pertinent that the nurse ask specific questions to identify the patient’s own personal needs. Examples include, "What concerns you most about your new diagnosis?" and "What aspect of breast cancer do you see as most important in dealing with your breast cancer diagnosis, for example, social, physical, emotional, spiritual?" (Stephens, Osowski, Fidale, & Spagnoli, 2008). During this assessment the nurse is building a trusting rapport with the patient and getting a sense of the psychosocial and educational needs. Therefore, the nurse can begin to develop a care plan based on ...

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... concepts to help the patient make an informed decision in regard to surgery and treatment plans. The articles also brought to light the much-needed support that patients require to move through this difficult time in their life.

Works Cited

Coyne, E., & Borbasi, S. (2009). Lving the experience of breast cancer treatment: The younger

women's perspective. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, (Vol 26/4), 6-13.

Lally, R. M. (2009). In the Moment: Women Speak About Surgical Treatment Decision Making

Days After a Breast Cander Diagnosis. Oncology Nursing Forum , (Vol 36/5), E257-E265.

Stephens, P. A., Osowski, M., Fidale, M. S., & Spagnoli, C. (2008). Identifying the Educational

Needs and Concerns of Newly Diagnosed Patients With Breast Cancer After Surgery.

Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. (Vol 12/2) 253-258.

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