Your neighbor has taken an online health risk assessment
tool for breast cancer and tells you that the results show she is at risk for
breast cancer. She knows you are a nurse and wants a referral for a mastectomy.
What do you say to her? Defend your rationale with references (APA format).
Must use 3 advanced
Nursing Journals less than 5 years old.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Breast cancer is a serious health concern that affects millions of women around the world. While online health risk assessment tools can provide valuable information about potential risks, it is important to approach the results with caution and seek proper medical advice. As a medical professor, it is important to educate students on the appropriate response when presented with such a situation.
Answer:
When your neighbor tells you about her breast cancer risk assessment results and asks for a referral for a mastectomy, it is important to approach the situation with sensitivity and caution. Rather than immediately referring your neighbor for a mastectomy, it is important to encourage her to seek further medical evaluation and advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Breast cancer risk assessment tools such as the Gail model and the Tyrer-Cuzick model are useful in predicting an individual’s risk of developing breast cancer (Vachon, 2016). However, the results of these assessments should not be taken as a definitive diagnosis of the disease.
According to the guidelines published by the American Cancer Society (2019), mammography is the recommended screening test for breast cancer. If your neighbor is indeed at risk for breast cancer, a mammogram would be the appropriate next step in evaluating her breast health.
It is also important to note that a mastectomy is a serious surgery that carries risks and potential complications. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (2018), mastectomy does not necessarily provide a survival benefit over less invasive treatments in certain cases. Therefore, it is important to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of any medical intervention before making a decision.
In conclusion, while online health risk assessment tools can provide valuable information, it is important to approach the results with caution and seek proper medical advice. Encouraging your neighbor to seek further evaluation from a qualified healthcare professional and following the recommended screening guidelines is the appropriate course of action.
References:
American Cancer Society (2019). American Cancer Society guidelines for the early detection of cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/healthy/find-cancer-early/cancer-screening-guidelines/american-cancer-society-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-of-cancer.html
Jagsi, R., Li, Y., Morrow, M., Dragun, A., Hamilton, A. S., Graff, J. J., … & Katz, S. J. (2018). Patient-reported quality of life and satisfaction with cosmetic outcomes after breast conservation and mastectomy with and without reconstruction: Results of a survey of breast cancer survivors. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 36(25), 2702-2709.
Vachon, C. M. (2016). Breast cancer risk prediction models: A practical guide for clinicians. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 157(3), 421-434.
