Breast Cancer essay
For many years now, cancer has been a health problem in almost every corner of the globe. Breast cancer is more prevalent in older aged between 40 and 60 years. The disease ranks second most common type of cancer for women between 30 and 40 years. Based on data from American Cancer Society, approximately 246,660 new cases of breast cancer were reported in 2016 alone. The report also estimates the number of deaths as a result of breast cancer in 2016 at 40,450. It is further estimated that the rate of new breast cancer cases is 12.5% in the US, and 2.8% of women will succumb to it. The health department in the city of Alexandria forecast that in every 100,000 women, 22.9 will die of breast cancer. Thus, breast cancer is a critical health issue for the residence of the city of Alexandria in Virginia.
The rate of prevalence of breast cancer is ever rising across the globe and the city of Alexandria is no exception. Several initiatives have been put in place by various healthcare stakeholders to reduce new cases and deaths caused by the disease. Research shows that early diagnosis of breast cancer is effective in reducing deaths. If cancer is detected at initial stages and timely treatment is administered, there are higher chances of survival. Early diagnosis improves recovery and survival by 90%. The common screening approaches applied currently include breast self-examination (BSE), mammography, clinical breast examination, and awareness of early signs and symptoms. In particular, BSE has been singled out as an efficient diagnostic method capable of reducing breast cancer associated deaths by half.
Health Behavior Model
Health behaviors that prevent breast cancer can be modeled effectively using the Health Belief Model (HBM). The model is useful in promoting behaviors that lead to early diagnosis of the disease. Some of the primary constructs of the model are used to promote healthy living among members of the community. Perceived susceptibility towards breast cancer drives people to believe that the disease exists and they will take precautionary steps to prevent it. The perceived seriousness of breast cancer will make females to understand the possible consequences of the disease. Additionally, the perceived benefits of undertaking early diagnosis measures promote the initiatives to undergo screening. Self-efficacy plays a crucial role in instilling confidence in patients. Breast cancer patients believe that they have the ability and capacity to undertake breast self-assessment.
Past studies have found a direct link between perceived benefits and self-efficacy with breast self-examination. Individuals who portray high levels of perceived benefits and self-efficacy have a high probability of self-examination (Darvishpour, Vajari & Noroozi, 2018). Therefore, breast self-examination is predicted by perceived benefits and self-efficacy. On the other side, Darvishpour et al,( 2018) found that the HBM constructs have no significant impact on clinical breast examination. However, perceived benefit positively influences the probability of mammography. It is also evident that perceived barriers negatively influences the chances of breast self-examination.
Evidence-Based Strategy
Education on breast cancer can be effective in reducing deaths caused by the disease. The educational program will serve to increase the knowledge on perceived benefits, barriers, and severity. Research shows that education intervention increases the chances of women undergoing a breast self-examination and mammography. An educational program that is based on the constructs of HBM will increase the chances of BSE by increasing awareness about breast. When women are informed on the benefits of early diagnosis and the seriousness of the disease, they will be more willing to perform self-examination, which will facilitate early diagnosis of breast cancer. Early diagnosis will lead to effective treatment of the cancer which results in increased recovery rates.