Breast Cancer Service Learning, Essay Example

Introduction

Education regarding the challenges and risks associated with breast cancer must be provided to the general public in order to maximize screening and early detection efforts. From a nursing perspective, educating women regarding the risks of breast cancer is essential in supporting their willingness to be screened and tested for breast cancer, particularly if they have a family history of the disease. Nurses play a significant role in these education efforts and in providing women with the level of support that is required to overcome any fears that they might have regarding their own risk of breast cancer. There are many benefits associated with screening and early detection for patients; therefore, it is essential that nurses develop strategies that will enable larger numbers of women to obtain breast cancer screenings and to obtain treatment earlier if the disease is identified.

Analysis

The establishment of service learning within the nursing environment will serve as an opportunity for nurses to educate the public regarding issues of critical importance, such as breast cancer for women. Education regarding breast cancer is often difficult to understand because there are many fears and misconceptions regarding the disease. However, breast cancer is a primary health problem around the world and must be addressed as early as possible in order to prevent terminal diagnoses and death (Coughlin and Ekwueme, 2009). Nurses must be provided with the education that is necessary to promote increased screening and prevention strategies within different population groups; therefore, this is best accomplished when nurses are provided with the tools that are required to expand education to others and to recognize the risks associated with this condition (Coughlin and Ekwueme, 2009). It is known that education regarding breast cancer is best achieved when there is a greater level of motivation and understanding of the condition and its impact on the population, as well as the positive impact of screening and early detection in reducing mortality rates (Ceber et.al, 2010).

Service learning associated with breast cancer provides a greater opportunity for nursing students to acquire education and guidance regarding the disease and the positive impacts of screening and early detection. In addition, service learning supports a greater understanding of existing knowledge and research regarding breast cancer, as well as statistical data that supports breast cancer education and guidance for nurses and their patients (Elson et.al, 2013). By using existing models that have been successful in different areas, new frameworks may be established which promote expanded motivation to promote the positive benefits of screening and early detection in different communities, particularly in areas where knowledge is limited and misinformation is common (Elson et.al, 2013).

Conclusion

For women throughout the world, breast cancer is a significant concern, particularly when there is a family history or other set of risks associated with this condition. Therefore, nurses must be provided with a service learning environment that will support their own education and guidance regarding breast cancer in an effort to educate women throughout different communities regarding the importance of screening and early detection. These efforts will enable nurses to acquire motivation regarding these tools because they have a greater understanding of breast cancer and its importance to women across all races, ethnicities, and status groups. Therefore, service learning should be adopted as a model that will enable nurses to recognize where breast cancer knowledge is lack and fear is evident so that greater numbers of women will explore their options with respect to breast cancer screenings and in supporting early detection efforts across all communities.

References

Ceber, E., Turk, M., and Ciceklioglu, M., (2010). The effects of an educational program on knowledge of breast cancer, early detection practices and health benefits of nurses and midwives. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 19(15-16), 2363-2371.

Coughlin, S.S., and Ekwueme, D.U. (2009). Breast cancer as a global concern. Cancer Epidemiology, 33, 315-318.

Elson, S.L., Hiatt, R.A., Anton-Culver, H. Howell, L.P., Naeim, A., Parker, B.A., van’t Veer, L.J., Hogarth, M., Pierce, J.P., DuWors, R.J., Hajopoulos, K., and Esserman, L.J. (2013). The Athena Breast Health Network: developing a rapid learning system in breast cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and care. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 140(2), 417-425.