Helping employees and families cope with breast cancer treatment

With respect to a lump in the breast, all findings can be considered significant until necessary evaluation is completed. Persons who have cancer often attribute all symptomatology to the disease; therefore, the nurse needs to allay fears about commonly occurring illnesses, while staying attuned to indications of metastasis. Keeping up-to-date with a rapidly changing field will be a challenge to nurses in the position to counsel and to have a positive effect on the lives of millions of women with or at risk for breast cancer. The occupational health nurse is in a strategic position to encourage prevention and surveillance, as well as to counsel employees during diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.