Breast Cancer Case Study
1. Susan will have a variety of tests done to determine what stage of cancer she has. What types of testing would you anticipate she would have to determine her definitive diagnosis and how will the tumor be classified?
a. Diagnostic Tests: Susan will go through many tests to determine the stage of her cancer. Some of the tests she will undergo include axillary lymph node status, tumor size, estrogen and progesterone receptor status, cell-proliferative indices, and genomic assays. Lymph node status determines if the cancer has spread, if it has spread the risk of recurrence is greater. Tumor size tests the size of the tumor. The larger the tumor is the harder it will be to treat and the risk of recurrence increases. …show more content…
Teaching: Susan will need to lower her risk factor of breast cancer by trying to remain as healthy as possible. She should maintain a healthy weight, eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, limit alcohol and not smoke. Even though Susan already has breast cancer it is important that she promotes her health to remain healthy to decrease the rate of the spreading cancer. (Would this actually help?) It is important that Susan is able to cope with the stress and psychological needs with a supportive support system. If Susan does not have friends or family nearby it is vital as the nurse to help Susan feel comfortable and feel that she is important and that you care for her health. The nurse should also teach Susan about body image issues. During chemotherapy Susan may loss her hair. There are many ways for Susan to feel human and beautiful, she may want to wear a cute scarf, hat, or obtain a wig to help her with her body image struggles. Susan possible may loss her breasts which may make her feel less beautiful and feminine. Susan may want plastic surgery or a bra that will make her look like she has breasts if hers are removed. (TB pg. 1254-1255)
3. Susan is prescribed chemotherapy and radiation therapy for the treatment of her breast cancer. What important things do you need to teach her as her nurse?
a.
1. Susan will have a variety of tests done to determine what stage of cancer she has. What types of testing would you anticipate she would have to determine her definitive diagnosis and how will the tumor be classified?
a. Diagnostic Tests: Susan will go through many tests to determine the stage of her cancer. Some of the tests she will undergo include axillary lymph node status, tumor size, estrogen and progesterone receptor status, cell-proliferative indices, and genomic assays. Lymph node status determines if the cancer has spread, if it has spread the risk of recurrence is greater. Tumor size tests the size of the tumor. The larger the tumor is the harder it will be to treat and the risk of recurrence increases. …show more content…
Teaching: Susan will need to lower her risk factor of breast cancer by trying to remain as healthy as possible. She should maintain a healthy weight, eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, limit alcohol and not smoke. Even though Susan already has breast cancer it is important that she promotes her health to remain healthy to decrease the rate of the spreading cancer. (Would this actually help?) It is important that Susan is able to cope with the stress and psychological needs with a supportive support system. If Susan does not have friends or family nearby it is vital as the nurse to help Susan feel comfortable and feel that she is important and that you care for her health. The nurse should also teach Susan about body image issues. During chemotherapy Susan may loss her hair. There are many ways for Susan to feel human and beautiful, she may want to wear a cute scarf, hat, or obtain a wig to help her with her body image struggles. Susan possible may loss her breasts which may make her feel less beautiful and feminine. Susan may want plastic surgery or a bra that will make her look like she has breasts if hers are removed. (TB pg. 1254-1255)
3. Susan is prescribed chemotherapy and radiation therapy for the treatment of her breast cancer. What important things do you need to teach her as her nurse?
a.