Research institute for nurse scientists responds to the challenge to expand and strengthen research focused on breast cancer in African American women

Abstract

In an era where scientifically derived ‘evidence’ is used as a basis for nursing practice, it is imperative that nurses have a breadth of knowledge relative to the fundamentals of nursing science; knowledge of the current standards of nursing and medical practice; and knowledge of the characteristics, needs, concerns, and challenges of diverse consumer and patient population groups. Yet, while a significant body of ‘evidence’ that describes the experiences and needs of African American women across the breast care continuum has been generated, research suggests that there is a need to expand and strengthen this body of science. This report presents an overview of a decade of research focused on breast cancer among African American women and describes an initiative funded by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to expand and strengthen nursing science that aims to reduce and/or eliminate excess breast cancer morbidity and mortality among African American women. Cancer 2007. © 2006 American Cancer Society.

Social Workers as Patient Navigators for Breast Cancer Survivors: What Do African-American Medically Underserved Women Think of This Idea?

“…In large part, literature has focused more on prevention, early detection strategies, and the time period between diagnosis and treatment rather than how needs change across the continuum. Although numerous research efforts have been taken to address the various medical and psychosocial needs of survivors at a given point in their cancer experience, little research has been conducted on the trajectory of support needs for women from time of diagnosis to survivorship and remission (Arnold, 1999;Cappiello, Cunningham, Knobf, & Erdos, 2007;Underwood, 2007). Studies have shown, as indicated by Mullan (1985), that the cancer experience is best conceptualized as "seasons of survival" (diagnosis and treatment as the acute stage, remission as the extended stage, and permanent and end-of-life stage) (Mullan, 1985).…”