The Risk and Benefits of Estrogen Hormone Therapy for Postmenopausal Women

Breast cancer is overwhelmingly common. In fact, in 2013, there were an estimated 3,053,450 women living with female breast cancer in the united states (Howlader et al., 2013). This disease has such an immense impact on the lives that it touches. Therefore, it should be taken seriously and preventions should not be neglected. The purpose for this paper is to explore my health behavior change in regards to breast cancer prevention, while utilizing my support system. I will also apply the nursing process throughout my discussion about the behavior change.

This will explore the role gender, ethnicity, race and socio-economics play in the acquisition, maintenance and experience of health care. A particular focus is the interaction (intersection) between these elements and their effect on awareness, education, active prevention and early detection of cancer, particularly breast cancer in women. Cancer is a disease caused by a mutation and rapid division of cells. Cancer is a general term describing many diseases; essentially there is a wide array of types of cancers. This vast differentiation makes it difficult to combat this disease and similarly the differences among individuals cause the course of this disease to vary greatly, cancer effects people differently. Breast cancer is one of the more well-known forms of cancer and is frequently touched upon or glazed over in discussion. A conversation may start with “I know someone who has or had cancer” but way to often this is where the conversation ends. The discussion on breast cancer needs to expand, to further the spread of information and understanding of the many aspects of this disease. “Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body” (What is Breast cancer). Breast cancer can be found in both male and female populations but it is particularly, prevalent among women, Breast cancer is the most pervasive

Breast cancer affects one in every nine women in Britain, 45,000 women every year are diagnosed with it in some form or stage of development. Life style and cognitive interventions, i.e. counselling and psychotherapy can play an important part in how the patient deals with cancer in their lives and how they recover.

The study was composed of two groups. The control group received the usual breast cancer care. The experimental group received the usual care and some additional components including four teaching sessions completed within the first month and regular follow-up calls. Intervention

The incident rate for thyroid cancer in each treatment group was derived from the number of cases observed divided by the person-years at risk. Subjects are considered to be at risk from date of surgery at first breast cancer to the date of diagnosis of thyroid cancer, date of death or date of loss to follow up. The incident rate ratio associated with use of adjuvant hormonal therapy after breast cancer diagnosis was determined from the ratio of the incident rates between the groups that received adjuvant hormonal therapy and those that did not. Standardized Incidence Ratios (SIR) were also computed by dividing the number of observed cancers to those expected. Expected cancers were determined from the five-year age-specific population rates reported by SEER. Confidence intervals (CIs) and p-values were at 0.05 significance alpha levels and were two-sided based on Poisson exact methods. Several variables such as age at diagnosis and surgery, stage of initial breast cancer and menopausal status were considered as possible confounders for our analysis. Datasets extracted from SEER9 were statistically analyzed using SAS version

Women may experience a range of emotions with the diagnosis as well as throughout the treatment as a result of breast cancer, such as: sadness, anger, fear and guilt. Therefore, it is essential to closely monitor the client for their psychosocial adjustment to the diagnosis and treatment, and identifying those that need further psychological interventions (Boehmke & Dickerson, 2006). This includes being aware of the impact the diagnosis will have on the family members and loved ones; as their support is warranted as possible caregivers during the process. Appropriate nursing diagnoses for a woman with a new verdict of breast cancer may include (but not limited to): disturbed body image related to loss of hair due to chemotherapy; fear related to the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease; and knowledge deficit of cancer treatment options and reconstructive surgery. Other diagnosis will be added and removed as the patient decides if she wants treatment; and the psychological, psychosocial, and physical changes that may affect her quality of life. For instance, after a mastectomy the patient may have a nursing diagnosis of: risk for disturbed body

Breast cancer is also another very prevalent disease that affects many women worldwide. However, with modern technology, it is easy to identify those women who are at high-risk for developing breast cancer through looking at mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. This can be very controversial, due to the fact that once women find that they’re positive for the gene mutations, they may choose to undergo a prophylactic mastectomy. In doing so, a woman can decrease her risk of developing breast cancer by 90%-95% (McQuirter, Castiglia, Loiselle, & Wong, 2010, p. 313). However, issues such as surgical complications and body image concerns prevent many women from choosing such an option. This study focused on exploring the process of making a decision

The Author reports that the new recommended age for mammograms, by the United States Preventative Services Task Force, has changed from 50 to 40 to reduce the harm from over screening and overtreatment. It also reports that self-breast examinations are no longer recommended on a regular basis. This recommendation comes from evidence that there are no major benefits of early screenings and that only “one cancer death is prevented for every 1,904 women” screened, age 40 to 49. Conversely, there is evidence that frequent early screenings can lead to overtreatment

Breast cancer is a leading cause of death of women, secondary only to heart disease. Breast cancer will affect one of every eight women or approximately 12% of the population. In 2016 there are 246,660 new cases of invasive breast cancer that will be diagnosed as well as 46,000 cases of breast cancer in situ in women. Additionally, there are 2,600 cases of breast cancer that will be found in men. Breast cancer rates have been decreasing since the year 2000. This is thought to be partially due to increased screening measures as well as discontinuing the use of hormone replacement therapy. There was as positive link established between hormone therapy

There are certain types of cancer treatments that cause hot flashes in patients. Cancer treatments that target estrogen and testosterone production cause more incidences of hot flashes than other cancer treatments (Kaplan et al., 2011). The side effects of these types of cancer therapies include hormone-deprivation symptoms, one of which can be hot flashes (Kaplan et al., 2011). These treatments are used for breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men (Kaplan et al., 2011). Premenopausal women who undergo treatment for cancer may also experience hot flashes. This is because “about 80% of premenopausal women who receive

There has been conflicting research and advice about the safety of hormones with the increase in the aging female population within the last twenty years (National Institute on Aging). Hormone therapy has demonstrated to be the most effective FDA approved medication in the relief of menopausal symptoms, but these benefits must be weighed against serious adverse effects that hormones can cause. Although many women differ in their response to hormone products, MHT has been universally linked to an increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, blood clots, and strokes. Concerns about the findings discovered in the clinical and observation trials performed on MHT, have left some doctors and women hesitant in utilizing MHT to combat menopausal

menopause symptoms in breast cancer- A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 12(8), e0180918. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0180918

Excellent job with your post. According to Hinkle and Cheever, menopause is the permanent physiologic cessation menses associated with declining ovarian function; during this time reproductive function diminishes and ends (2013). How can you explain to patient, how identify or differential perimenopause and menopause? Other than hormone therapy, what are some other measure use to relieve symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and sleep disturbances. What are some possible nursing diagnosis for menopausal women?

Breast cancer accounts for one third of all new cancer diagnoses in the United States (Cauley, et al., 2007). The first sign in the process of this disease is a lump that forms around the breasts. For this reason, it is necessary to get the yearly mammograms once a woman reaches a certain age. Also, monthly self-examinations can aid in finding breast cancer early. If this condition is found early enough, chances of survival are abundant. Most women who get breast cancer are older than 50 with 86% of the deaths occurring in this age group (Cauley, et al., 2007). Postmenopausal women have a higher risk for breast cancer, because the risk increases when levels of endogenous estradiol rise (Cauley, et al., 2007). Breast cancer is the most common cancer that occurs in women. This epidemic has a higher incidence rate among white women than in African American women, but African American women have a higher mortality rate (Breast Cancer Risk Factors, 2010). White women are more apt to develop this disease than any other ethnicity. However, in women under 45, breast cancer is more common in African American women (Breast Cancer Risk Factors, 2010).

While the completion of treatment is excitedly anticipated, many cancer survivors would still be disturbed by the emotional and physical tribulation of their breast cancer trajectory (Surbone & Peccatori, 2006). This is because, the impact of cancer remains long even after treatment ended. Besides the common issues that accompany any cancer diagnosis, breast cancer survivors also have to deal with exclusive concerns such as decreased sexual function, relationship issues, fears about genetic inheritability of cancer and complications from this disease such as lymphedema (Hodgkinson, Butow, Fuchs, et al., 2007). Therefore, the completion of treatment does not equate to lesser need for health care. Long term health issues related to breast cancer survivors have thus emerged as a public health concern.