Health Improvement 14th November 2014
I went along to this study day, mainly because working in breast screening we already give out a lot of information on many aspects of health care and I thought I would learn how to deliver this in a more effective way.
The day was very informative particularly in regard to how the Health Service was set up, how it has changed over the years and how it works now – all of which I must confess to being a bit hazy on.
Taking this information back to my department, I have tried to think how this could be incorporated in my daily work. I already stress the importance of screening, particularly to women having their last invited screen and encourage them to continue to attend every three years. I also very briefly explain that they should be aware of any changes in their breasts and see their GP if they notice any.
With regard to smoking and healthy eating, I don’t feel that a breast screening appointment is the always the right occasion to bring up the subject. However I often find that women ask all sorts of questions about many health issues so if the circumstances are right, I will try and broach the subject.
The Breast Unit as a whole reinforces the problems of smoking with regard to many breast conditions, for example duct ectasia. I’m sure the clinicians use that opportunity to offer advice and support to give up if that is what the woman wants.
Healthy eating is promoted by the unit, mainly through our Breast Care Nurses and their Service Pledge for Breast Cancer, run in conjunction with Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity.
This campaign is supported by all modalities within the Breast Unit and of course if I am asked for information I will be able to point them in the right direction.
Conclusion
When women come for routine breast screening they only have a 6 minute appointment so there isn’t always time to discuss everything I would like, but I will endeavour to offer support and/or information whenever possible.
In the symptomatic situation the woman is obviously worried as she is in a clinic designed to diagnose breast disease and uppermost in her mind is the question “do I have breast cancer”
The emphasis is therefore on answering that question.
After diagnosis and treatment the women have annual mammography for 5 years and I always ask if they have any problems/worries when I am checking their details. This often leads to discussion on all sorts of issues and may therefore progress to needing help with general health issues and in this circumstance I feel it would be appropriate to offer health improvement support.