What Is Breast Cancer?

Submitted By Bmarty44
Words: 593
Pages: 3

Breast Cancer and Spirituality by: Brenton Phinn

ABSTRACT
Spirituality plays an enormous role in the comfort and stability of individuals with breast cancer. Being diagnose with cancer is a life changing moment. Spiritual practices, helps with the ability to cope. Breast cancer is a tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. Risk factors such as age, gender, race and family history play a role in getting breast cancer. Of the known treatment options, such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, the spiritual component should not be overlooked. Studies show that the accessibility to spiritual guidance results in better outcome and quality of life. In a multi-institutional crosssectional study of 170 patients with advanced cancer, more use of positive religious coping methods was associated with better overall quality of life.

PICO QUESTION



In Women with breast cancer, will involvement in spiritual support groups compare to population not in spiritual groups lead to better outcomes

What is Breast Cancer?


Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that typically begins in the cells lined with the duct; others begin in the cells that line the lobules
1 in 8 (12%) women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime.

231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in
2015

Breast cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death
 40,290 women will die from breast cancer 2015


What is Breast Cancer?


Risk factors




Health promotion and Prevention






gender, age, genetics, race, and family history
Breast Self-Exam (BSE)
Screening and Testing
Mammograms

Access to health care and Legislation


Affordable Care Act
 people with cancer will no longer be denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions

or be charged more for their coverage because of health status

Treatment Options


Chemotherapy




Radiation




Chemical use to kill cancer cells (systemic)
Radiation use to target cancerous cells

Surgery


Procedure done to remove tumor
 Mastectomy and lumpectomy



Targeted therapy




Drugs use to block the growth of cancer cells

Bone-directed therapy


Use when cancer of breast spread to bone

What is Spirituality?


Sense of connection with something bigger than ourselves. Spirituality is the relationship people have with a force or power beyond themselves that helps them feel connected and enrich their lives.
("Finding Comfort in Spirituality," 2015)

Spiritual Connection






Religious and spiritual coping have been associated with lower levels of patient discomfort
In a multi-institutional