The Nurseʼs role in mammography screening

Black women in Dade Country have a substantially higher proportion of advanced breast cancer at diagnosis than white women. To shift the stage at diagnosis from later to earlier, a Cancer Early Detection Program was initiated in the fall of 1987. This program involves screening with low-cost mammography, physical breast examination, and instruction in self-breast examination as well as general cancer education about prevention, early detection, and health promotion. The educational programs are presented in conjunction with the local unit of the American Cancer Society. A mobile mammography van travels to Primary Health Care Centers to provide mammograms to a population with limited access to preventive health care. This article describes the development and implementation of the program. It focuses on the responsibilities of an oncology nurse who coordinates and directs the program. Recommendations are made for ways oncology nurses can assume expanded roles in cancer screening/ early detection.