ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Many young women have turned to illness blogs to describe their lived experience with cancer. Blogs represent an untapped source of knowledge for researchers and clinicians. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this qualitative, exploratory study was to describe the life disruptions caused by cancer among young women, as well as to understand the facilitators and barriers in accessing healthcare services during and after active treatment. METHODS: Sixteen Internet illness blogs were analyzed among women, aged between 20 and 39 years, diagnosed with cancer. These blogs were analyzed based on phenomenological qualitative methods and thematic analysis. RESULTS: There were 4 dimensions of persistent problems that were articulated in the narratives of the young women without any relief. They included pain and fatigue, insurance and financial barriers, concerns related to fertility, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress and anxiety. CONCLUSION: The young women's narratives capture fear, uncertainty, anger, and the debilitating nature of these persistent issues. Many of the women expressed their lingering physical, psychosocial, and emotional problems. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Online illness narratives are a naturalistic form of inquiry that allows nurses to understand the experience of the patient through their own words and accounts. This study provides a foundation for nursing-based interventions that transcend traditional clinic experiences.
Subject(s)
Blogging , Breast Neoplasms/nursing , Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/nursing , Carcinoma, Lobular/nursing , Adult , Anxiety/nursing , Breast Neoplasms/complications , Breast Neoplasms/economics , Breast Neoplasms/psychology , Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/complications , Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/economics , Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/psychology , Carcinoma, Lobular/complications , Carcinoma, Lobular/economics , Carcinoma, Lobular/psychology , Fatigue/etiology , Female , Fertility , Financial Management , Humans , Insurance, Health , Pain/etiology , Stress, Psychological/nursing , VirginiaABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To report a case of arterial thrombosis in a 63-year-old female undergoing treatment with multiagent chemotherapy for breast cancer. An overview of the prevalence and pathogenesis of the disorder, clinical diagnosis, and treatment are discussed. DATA SOURCES: Case report, diagnostic evidence, and scientific literature. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial thrombosis is an extremely rare complication of multichemotherapy treatment of breast cancer. Although the risk of arterial thromboembolism appears to be low, it can have devastating complications that result in significant morbidities and, sometimes, death. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: As the risk of arterial thrombosis is low, many healthcare providers may not be aware of this potentially serious complication. Thrombosis prophylaxis should be considered for patients with risk factors. In cases where arterial thrombosis occurs, immediate thrombolitic therapy or operative intervention should be considered.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Carcinoma, Lobular/drug therapy , Thromboembolism/chemically induced , Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , Aspirin/therapeutic use , Breast Neoplasms/nursing , Carcinoma, Lobular/nursing , Chemotherapy, Adjuvant , Embolectomy , Female , Heparin/therapeutic use , Humans , Middle Aged , Nurse Practitioners , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Risk Factors , Thromboembolism/drug therapy , Thromboembolism/surgerySubject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/pathology , Carcinoma, Lobular/pathology , Nurse's Role , Breast Neoplasms/classification , Breast Neoplasms/mortality , Breast Neoplasms/nursing , Breast Neoplasms, Male/classification , Breast Neoplasms, Male/mortality , Breast Neoplasms, Male/nursing , Breast Neoplasms, Male/pathology , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/classification , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/mortality , Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/nursing , Carcinoma, Lobular/classification , Carcinoma, Lobular/mortality , Carcinoma, Lobular/nursing , Female , Humans , Male , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Prognosis , Risk Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To provide a description of the inception and evolution of the Breast Cancer Education and Risk Assessment Program. DATA SOURCES: Computerized database (e.g., Personal Family History Risk Assessment Model, Knowledge Assessment Tool, risk perception, evaluation form) and author experience. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 749 women participated in the group education and risk-assessment program from March 1999 through March 2002. Advanced practice nurses provided information about calculated risks, corrected misperceptions among participants, and highlighted options available to decrease breast cancer risk. Knowledge scores improved, and, in general, participants were very satisfied with the content and comprehensibility of the educational session. CONCLUSIONS: Results from the evaluation of the Breast Cancer Education and Risk Assessment Program suggest that group education is a viable and acceptable way to bring new advances in breast cancer prevention to large groups of women. The data sources support the conclusion that women can be effectively taught general breast cancer risk information in a group setting and be placed into specific risk categories to streamline discussion of risk-management options and relevant research studies. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Advanced practice nurses are a vital link in the assessment of women at high risk for breast cancer, education, and appropriate referrals for management options and relevant clinical trials.
