Prevention of breast cancer - the importance of screening tests

Abstract Introduction. Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. It is one of the leading causes of death in the population of women in Poland.Purpose of the paper. Presentation of the desired behaviors and activities in the field of breast cancer prevention.Material and method. There has been carried out an analysis of the current scientific literature and reports available on the websites of the Ministry of Health concerning the recommendations and effects of breast cancer prevention among women in Poland.Results. A pro-health lifestyle conducive to reducing or eliminating the occurrence of disease factors is an important element of primary prevention of breast cancer. In secondary prevention, regular breast self-examination, medical examination and screening tests are important, with mammography being the most important factor in early diagnosis of breast cancer.Conclusions. Prevention of breast cancer should focus on the education of women of all ages on the need for regular breast self-examination, the use of medical examinations and, above all, participation in screening tests

SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES OF ONCOLOGICAL CARE IN POLAND

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and the second leading cause of death in the Polish population. In recent years, significant progress has been observed in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, but the situation in terms of morbidity and mortality rates is still very worrying and requires intensification of activities aimed at improving this condition. The aim of the work was to present the successes and challenges for oncological care in Poland. A review of the available current literature on the state of oncology and care of cancer patients in the Polish health care system was made. It was found that the organization of the oncological care system is constantly being improved, centers specializing in comprehensive oncological care for patients with specific cancers have been established. Screening tests and preventive programs are carried out. Research is being carried out to improve the effectiveness of treatment, and the National Oncology Network has recently been established. However, the situation of Polish oncology is still not fully satisfactory and requires monitoring and taking action to improve cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients

Self-assessment of the health status of women diagnosed with breast cancer after surgery

Introduction. Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women in the world. Symptoms, the extent and severity of the disease process, as well as the consequences of treatment, cause unpleasant symptoms and limitations resulting from the disease. The aim of the study was to present the self-assessment of the health status of women diagnosed with breast cancer and surgically treated. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on 121 women after surgery for breast cancer in the Podkarpackie Oncological Center in Brzozów. The diagnostic survey method was used along with the original questionnaire. Results. Women who underwent a breast-saving surgery usually assessed their overall health at a good level, while respondents after breast amputation were at a sufficient level. The self-esteem of mental health of the examined women was similar. Conclusions. In the examined group there were differences in the assessment of health condition depending on the type of surgical intervention. Almost all patients diagnosed with breast cancer believed that health problems limited their functioning

Epidemiological knowledge as a scientific value in assessment of health status of an individual and population

Wstęp. Brak ostatecznie zdefiniowanego pojęcia zdrowia stanowi utrudnienie w prowadzeniu ujednoliconych badań naukowych o szerokim zakresie tematyki badawczej opartej na każdej z trzech płaszczyzn zdrowia. Cele. Określenie zaawansowania stanu wiedzy na temat definiowania zdrowia oraz omówienie znaczenia badań epidemiologicznych w ocenie stanu zdrowia jednostki i populacji. Przedstawienie celów badań epidemiologicznych dotyczących jakości i trafności działań prozdrowotnych na rzecz populacji. Metody. Zastosowano metodę analizy piśmiennictwa naukowego, dostępnych materiałów tematycznych i analizę danych statystycznych. Wyniki. Różnice w definiowaniu zdrowia i stanu zdrowia wynika głównie z faktu, że badacze uwzględniają różne elementy wiedzy, niemal z każdej gałęzi nauki, o różnym poziomie jej zaawansowania. Prowadzone teoretyczne rozważania nad pojęciem zdrowia oraz stanów wynikających z zakłóceń funkcjonowania organizmu są niezbędne do określania potrzeb zdrowotnych wyrażonych i niewyrażonych. Rodzaje dysfunkcji są następstwem chorób, w tym genetycznych, urazów i zatruć, które dla części osób przechodzą w stan przewlekły krótkotrwały lub trwały, określany jako niepełnosprawność. Rzetelna ocena poszczególnych problemów zdrowotnych wymaga kontynuowania badań epidemiologicznych z zastosowaniem nowoczesnych wielowymiarowych metod biostatystycznych. Podsumowanie. Wielość stanów chorobowych, ich rodzaje i następstwa oraz zaspokajanie potrzeb leczniczych, opiekuńczych, socjalnych i rehabilitacyjnych osób chorych i niepełnosprawnych wymaga nowoczesnych, systemowych rozwiązań. Głównym miejscem tych działań powinno być środowisko życia. Rozpoznanie potrzeb i dobra jakość świadczeń zdrowotnych może być zapewniona głównie przez prowadzenie długofalowych epidemiologicznych badań populacyjnych. W wielu krajach świata, zwłaszcza rozwiniętych, sytuacja zdrowotna społeczeństw określana jest głównie dzięki wynikom wieloletnich, prospektywnych badań epidemiologicznych. Są one niezbędne do opracowywania celowanych programów profilaktycznych i promocji zdrowia

Wybrane aspekty medyczne i społeczne pandemii Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic poses a huge threat to human health and life as well as the socio-economic functioning. The aim of the study is to present selected medical and social aspects related to the Covid-19 pandemic. The research method used was a review and analysis of the literature from the PubMed database supplemented with epidemiological reports. The following keywords were used to search for publications: „Covid-19”, „medical aspects of Covid-19”, „social aspects of Covid-19”. The Covid-19 pandemic has destabilized public health worldwide and has had multiple negative social consequences. It was the cause of the global economic and economic crisis. Covid-19 has been described as a sudden adverse and multidimensional medical and social experience, the consequences of which are present and will be felt for many years to come. The epidemiological, health and economic situation of the society should be monitored and measures should be taken to reduce the severity of the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.Pandemia Covid-19 stanowi ogromne zagrożenie dla zdrowia i życia ludzkiego oraz funkcjonowania społeczno-gospodarczego. Celem pracy jest przedstawienie wybranych aspektów medycznych i społecznych związanych z pandemią Covid-19. Jako metodę  badań zastosowano przegląd i analizę piśmiennictwa pochodzącego z bazy PubMed uzupełnione o raporty epidemiologiczne. Do wyszukania publikacji użyto następujących słów kluczowych: „Covid-19”, „medical aspects of Covid-19”, „social aspects of Covid-19”. Pandemia Covid-19 spowodowała destabilizację zdrowia publicznego na skalę światową i pozostawiła wiele negatywnych skutków społecznych. Była przyczyną globalnego kryzysu gospodarczego i ekonomicznego. Covid-19 określone zostało mianem nagłego niekorzystnego i wielowymiarowego doświadczenia medycznego i społecznego, którego następstwa występują obecnie i będą odczuwane jeszcze przez wiele lat. Należy monitorować sytuację epidemiologiczną, zdrowotną i ekonomiczną społeczeństwa i podejmować działania zmierzające do zmniejszenia nasilenia negatywnych skutków pandemii Covid-19

Nutritional Behaviours Of Adolescents Living In Rural Areas. Part 1. Characteristics Of Health Behaviours Regarding Regular Consumption Of Meals And Level Of Acceptance Of Own Body Weight

Introduction. Proper nutrition consists in supplying the body with nutrients which are adequate from the aspect of their amount and quality, provide normal growth and maturation for an individual, as well as physical, mental, and emotional fitness. Eating habits are shaped as early as in childhood and constitute an important element of life style. It is very difficult to change bad dietary habits in children and adolescents, and these habits often continue into adulthood, and into own families. This is translated into the level of health in further periods of life in the form of serious consequences of chronic diseases, mainly on the metabolic background. Many studies confirmed that there occur clear differences in the observance of the principles of correct nutrition between adolescents living in large cities, and those from rural areas. Objective. The objective of the study was recognition and assessment of the types of nutritional behaviours among junior high school adolescents living in rural areas.Materials and Method.The study was conducted in June 2015, and covered a group of 115 adolescents attending a rural junior high school, randomly selected in the Sanok province. The method of a diagnostic survey and the Likert scale was applied. The research instrument was an author-constructed Questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square test and Cramer’s V test. The p values p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results. The majority of the examined school adolescents declared a normal body weight (80.9%). Boys reported correct nutrition more often than girls (67.6% vs. 30.8%). Slightly more than a half of the adolescents (52.2%) consumed breakfast every day. The largest number of the respondents (67.0%) admitted snacking between meals. Boys preferred grilled and fried meals (40.5%), whereas girls chose boiled food (66.7%); 42.6% of respondents indicated rational nutrition, and the same percentage tried to observe regular consumption of meals; only 30.4% of the total number of adolescents in the study consumed five meals daily.Conclusions. Despite the fact that more than a half of the respondents living in rural areas observe the principles of rational nutrition, this percentage is too low to state that their eating behaviours are correct. Rural children and adolescents require an early permanent health education in the area of nutrition and physical activity

Monitoring of nosocomial infections as an element of prevention

Introduction. Hospital infections are one of the most serious threats to the hospitalised patient and their monitoring is recognised as one of the most important criteria of care quality for modern hospitals. The aim of the work was to present the problem of nosocomial infections and desired behaviours and activities in the field of infection prophylaxis. Material and method. The analysis of the current scientific literature was carried out with particular attention to the prevention of infections in treatment wards and the need to monitor the patient's condition and the environment in the case of an infection. Results. The lack of developed and implemented programmes for the control of nosocomial infections is a fundamental element that increases the risk of nosocomial infections. This disrupts the proper functioning of the hospital and causes additional health problems for the patient and the ward staff. In addition, the hospital suffers losses instead of savings, which is a priority aim in the current funding system. Conclusions. The basis for eliminating or minimising the incidence of nosocomial infections is a well-developed and implemented programme of hospital infection control based on the education of medical personnel in the field of infection prevention. Constant, comprehensive assessment of the procedures used and the standards of conduct, epidemiological data as well as microbiological data can ensure quick identification and elimination of the threat

The level of nurses’ knowledge of the prevention of nosocomial infections – a pilot study

Introduction. A basic element in preventing and combating nosocomial infections is the medical personnel knowledge. It is up to health care workers to determine whether the hospital environment will be safe for both patients and those employed in this sector. The aim of the study was to present the level of nursing staff knowledge of nosocomial infections. Materials and methods. The research was carried out in the Podkarpackie Center of Cardiovascular Interventions in Sanok. The study group consisted of all nurses working in the Hemodynamic Department - 20 people. The tests were carried out using the diagnostic survey method. The research tool was the author's questionnaire. Results. The nurses were aware that the scale of the problem of nosocomial infections was important. Almost all nurses rated their level of knowledge of hospital-acquired infections very well. However, the full definition of the term "nosocomial infections" was not given by about a quarter of respondents. In hospitals nurses did not always follow the rules of aseptic and antiseptic treatment. In addition, they did not see the need to educate patients and their families about the prevention of infections. Conclusions. Hospitals should carry out monitoring of nurses’ compliance with the procedures that are aimed at the elimination of ward infections and should consistently strive at their best to apply these procedures at their workplace. The ward staff should be involved in the education of patients and their families in the prevention of nosocomial infections

Nursing level knowledge of strokes from the study of demographic and social factors

Introduction. Strokes often have very serious medical, social and economic consequences. Knowledge about strokes is the basis for effective prophylaxis and makes it possible to quickly notice the symptoms and initiate appropriate therapeutic treatment in a short time. The aim of the research was to assess the level of knowledge of nursing students about strokes, taking into account selected demographic and social factors. Material and methods. The research covered a group of 120 students of nursing at the State University of Jan Grodek in Sanok. The diagnostic survey method was used. The research tool was a proprietary questionnaire containing questions about the demographic and social situation and a stroke knowledge test. The IBM SPSS v 25.0 package was used in the statistical analysis. The value of p≤0.05 was adopted as statistically significant. Results. The mean age of the respondents in the years was 33.82 (SD 9.75). The vast majority of the respondents (94.2%) were women. The average level of knowledge about stroke was highest in the 31-40 age group (83.3%). A statistically significant relationship was found between the level of education of the respondents and the level of their knowledge about strokes (p = 0.029). On the other hand, the age, marital status, place of residence and social and living conditions of students did not significantly affect the level of their knowledge about stroke. Conclusions. The overall level of knowledge about strokes among nursing students was average. Most of the subjects studied were familiar with pre-hospital management procedures in the event of a stroke, but had significant gaps in knowledge regarding the time of thrombolytic treatment initiation after the onset of stroke. In the education of nursing students, particular attention should be paid to issues related to the prevention and management of strokes