Researchers at Saint Louis University School of Medicine think an ounce of prevention could be worth a pound of cure when it comes to treating long-term breast cancer survivors. A grant from the Oncology Nursing Foundation has been awarded to Suzanne Mahon, DNSc, RN, AOCN to study 200 women who are breast cancer survivors. The goal is to develop an effective program that will educate long-term survivors about the risks of other diseases they could get as a result of being a breast cancer survivor. Mahon said many women might not realize that they risk developing a recurrence of breast cancer, as well as gynecologic or colorectal cancer.
Osteoporosis is also a common complication.
This is a new need for women. Years ago, nobody lived long enough to get a second breast cancer or osteoporosis. This study will help health care workers focus on the 'down the road' complications that could have a negative effect on the survivors' quality of life. Each woman in the study will be receive written materials regarding secondary malignancies and osteoporosis and will be shown models and videotapes as part of the education process. Each patient also will receive an individual risk factor assessment for malignancy or osteoporosis.