ABSTRACT

Of the first ten types of cancer in women in Turkey, breast cancer takes the first place (37.6 per one hundred thousand). The diagnosis of breast cancer is not only a medical problem for the patient but has also serious emotional and social effects. Women with breast cancer need comprehensive nursing interventions. In order to meet such needs of women with breast cancer, the concept of breast care nursing has emerged in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia and America over the last 20 years. The aim of a breast care nurse is to provide care, information and support for women with breast cancer and their families at every stage of the treatment after they are diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast care nursing practices in Turkey are quite limited and there are no certificate programs. This review, prepared in the light of this fact, aims to define the roles and importance of breast care nursing and to investigate the results regarding the efficacy of breast care nursing.

In randomized controlled trials conducted in recent years, it has been reported that interventions by breast care nurse decrease anxiety and depression in patients with breast cancer, and improve physical and social well-being. In our country, due to the increase in the incidence of breast cancer, the need for breast care nurses is increasing day after day. In order to educate breast care nurses, there exists a need for the development of certificate programs and training criteria.