How to educate patients on breast cancer research
With the recent news about a study showing the positive impact of tamoxifen on preventing breast cancer, women are turning to their health care professionals for advice.
Karen Kramer, RN, BSN, MHA, director of The Women's Center Breast Care Clinic of Cox Health Systems in Springfield, MO, advises women's health centers on ways to educate patients and the community about the tamoxifen study:
1. Educate your staff on the meaning of the results. Circulate summaries of the tamoxifen study with common questions and answers so that your staff will be prepared to address patients' concerns. (See Q&A, at right.)
2. Develop a proactive plan to educate the community.
3. Share the study's results with breast cancer support groups.
4. Write articles for local newspapers and for your own health newsletter about the tamoxifen study results.
5. Develop news releases for the local media.
6. Identify women living in your region who would be willing to talk with the media about their participation in the study.
7. Plan a community breast cancer awareness event, and invite a representative from the breast cancer study to take part in the event. To find a representatives in your area, contact: Lori Psillidis, East Common Professional Building, 4 Allegheny Center, Fifth Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Telephone: (412) 330-4621. Fax: (412) 330-4661. E-mail: [email protected].
To encourage women to consider participating in breast cancer research, include the benefits of participation in your communications. Some benefits are:
· receiving regular mammograms and checkups;
· potentially having their own risk for breast cancer reduced;
· potentially receiving other health benefits from tamoxifen, such as stronger bones;
· having the satisfaction of knowing they are contributing to medical knowledge that may decrease the occurrence of breast cancer in future generations.
You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
- Award-winning Medical Content
- Latest Advances & Development in Medicine
- Unbiased Content