Knowledge about breast cancer and hereditary breast cancer among nurses in a public hospital

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge of nurses involved in the care of oncology patients in a public university hospital, regarding breast cancer and hereditary breast cancer, and to verify the use of such knowledge in their daily practice.METHODS: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were obtained through a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Out of 154 nurses, 137 (88.9%) agreed to participate in the study. Two questionnaires were excluded such that 135 questionnaires were analyzed.RESULTS: The global percentage of correct answers was not associated with age (p=0.173) or degree/specialization (p=0.815). Questions were classified into categories. In categories involving knowledge of established breast cancer risk factors and indicators of hereditary breast cancer, the rate of correct answers was 65.8% and 66.4%, respectively. On the practice of genetic counseling, 40.7% of those interviewed were not sure about the definition of genetic counseling and 78.5% reported never having identified or referred a patient at genetic risk for specialized risk assessment. Practice of educational actions regarding this subject was reported by 48.5% of those interviewed.CONCLUSION: This study reinforces the need to develop qualifying actions for nurses, so that strategies to control breast cancer become effective in their health care practice

Conhecimento e prática sobre os fatores de risco para o câncer de mama entre mulheres de 40 a 69 anos Knowledge of and practices regarding risk factors for breast cancer in women aged between 40 and 69 years

OBJETIVO: investigar conhecimento e prática sobre os fatores de risco para o câncer de mama entre usuárias da Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF). MÉTODOS: estudo transversal com 393 mulheres com idades entre 40 e 69 anos usuárias da ESF na cidade de Dourados, MS. Realizou-se uma entrevista, por meio de um questionário semi-estruturado, investigando-se variáveis sociodemográficas, história familiar e conhecimento/prática sobre os fatores de risco para o câncer de mama. A descrição das variáveis foi feita através de frequência simples e porcentagem. A associação do conhecimento sobre os fatores de risco e as variáveis foram verificadas pelo teste exato de Fisher e qui-quadrado com nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: a idade média foi de 52,5 ± 8,1 anos, o tempo médio de estudo foi de 4,4±3,6 anos, 52,4% das mulheres eram pardas/negras e 66,6% possuiam companheiro. Entre as mulheres, 86,5% receberam alguma informação sobre o câncer de mama. Os fatores de risco para a doença eram conhecidos por 54,2% das mulheres. O conhecimento sobre os fatores de risco associou-se com a história familiar (p=0,004) e anos de estudo (p=0,01). Diante dos fatores de risco conhecidos, a frequência de práticas preventivas entre as mulheres foi de 52,2%. CONCLUSÕES: a identificação de variáveis relacionadas a um menor conhecimento sobre a doença pode auxiliar na adoção de estratégias direcionadas aos grupos mais vulneráveis.<br>OBJECTIVES: to investigate knowledge of and practices regarding risk factors for breast cancer among users of the Family Health Strategy (FHS). METHODS: a cross-sectional study was carried out among 393 women aged between 40 and 69 years using the FHS in the city of Dourados, in the Brazilian State of Mato Grosso do Sul. An interview was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire to investigate socio-demographic variables, family history and awareness/practices regarding the risk factors for breast cancer. The variables were described using simple frequency and a percentage. The association between awareness of the risk factors and the variables was confirmed using Fisher's exact test and the chi-square with a level of significance of 5%. RESULTS: the mean age was 52.5 ± 8.1 years, the mean years of schooling was 4.4±3.6 years, 52.4% of the women were black/colored and 66.6% had a partner. Of the women, 86.5% had received some information on breast cancer. The risk factors for the disease are known by 54.2% of the women. Awareness of the risk factors was associated with family history (p=0.004) and years of schooling (p=0.01). Where the risk factors were known, 52.2% of the women took preventive measures. CONCLUSION: the identification of variables related to greater awareness of the disease may facilitate the adoption of strategies aimed at the most vulnerable groups

Actions of nurses in early detection of breast cancer

Objective: Identify the actions for early detection of breast cancer performed by nurses from basic health units; compare the compliance of these actions with the recommendations from the Ministry of Health; analyze the availability of documents to check these recommendations and analyze the association of variables "training," "lato sensu training," and "years of activity" of these professionals with the actions performed. Method: A cross-sectional study conducted with 133 nurses from 38 basic health units in the Southeast region of the municipality of Sao Paulo, interviewed with a validated questionnaire. Result: Most nurses reported actions to detect this neoplasm. Guidance on the first mammogram age was significantly associated with training, years of activity and availability of Basic Attention Book n degrees 13. Conclusion: This study observed a positive influence of training and years of activity on the actions for early detection of breast cancer and the need for adjustments in national guidelines.Objetivo: Identificar as ações de detecção precoce do câncer de mama desenvolvidas por enfermeiros de Unidades Básicas de Saúde; comparar a conformidade dessas ações com as recomendações do Ministério da Saúde; verificar a disponibilidade de documentos para consulta dessas recomendações e analisar a associação das variáveis capacitação, formação lato sensu e tempo de atuação desses profissionais com as ações desenvolvidas. Método: Estudo transversal, realizado com 133 enfermeiros de 38 unidades básicas de saúde da região Sudeste do município de São Paulo, entrevistados utilizando questionário validado. Resultado: A maioria dos enfermeiros referiu realizar as ações para detecção desta neoplasia. A orientação da idade da primeira mamografia associou-se significativamente com capacitação, tempo de atuação e disponibilidade do Caderno de Atenção Básica nº13. Conclusão: Destaca-se a influência positiva da capacitação e tempo de atuação na realização das ações de detecção precoce do câncer de mama e a necessidade de ajustes para adequá-las às diretrizes nacionais.CNPQ, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnologicoUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Paulista Nursing Sch, Postgrad Program Nursing, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Paulista Nursing Sch, Postgrad Program Nursing, Sao Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc