It’s the second most prevalent cancer in the United States, affecting 1 out of 7 women and 1 out of 833 men, according to the American Cancer Society. In the U.S., a quarter of a million women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and more than 40,000 will lose their lives.
While the statistics are stark, there’s good news: Today, the U.S. has more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors, and survival rates continue to improve.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For many healthcare professionals working with breast cancer patients, a complete plan of care focuses not only on survival, but also on improving their quality of life during and after treatment.
But what does that look like?
Breast cancer survivorship begins at the moment of diagnosis. Critical to any plan of care is clear communication between nurse and patient, where crucial topics are discussed, like:
- Demographics
- How much the patient knows about their cancer
- How much the patient does NOT want to know
- The goals of treatment
- Upcoming life events
Want to learn more? Check out our webinar course, Effective Navigation and Survivorship Care, free for a limited time with promo code SURVIVOR100.
Taught by Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, HON-ONN-GC, renowned Johns Hopkins’ professor of surgery and distinguished professor of breast cancer, this 1-hour on-demand webinar course — titled Effective Navigation and Survivorship Care — explores the nuances of breast cancer survivorship, the function of a nurse navigator, and the importance of patient advocacy.
Lillie D. Shockney has specialized in breast cancer care for more than 38 years at Johns Hopkins, where she serves as the Administrative Director of Clinical Breast and Cancer Survivorship Programs, University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer, and Professor of Surgery.
Learn more about the intersection of cancer care and women’s health in the in-depth course, Cancer in Women, 4th Edition.
