Every month, WNA's Tri Council members will be posting clinical topics that are part of national spotlights. The goal is to increase awareness for nurses about these clinical areas of practice.
Every month, different organizations spotlight different health conditions to increase awareness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March is a month to spotlight colorectal cancer and endometriosis. What should nurses know about these two health conditions?
| Colorectal Cancer | Endometriosis | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Refers to cancer that affects the colon and rectum (American Cancer Society) | Endometriosis is a condition where a benign endometrium tissue grows outside of the uterus and most frequently in the ovaries, fallopian tube, vagina, vulva, or bladder. |
| Statistics and Trends | • Third most common cancer. • The number of new diagnosis and death from the disease has been trending down. • In 2024, there were approximately 106,000 cases of Colon cancer and 46,000 cases of rectal cancer. • While the cases were slightly lower in women than men, the incidence of the disease is comparable between men and women. • 5-year relative survival among all genders, races, and ethnicities is 63.8%. | • It is most common among women aged 15-44. • Approximately 190 million women globally and 6.5 million women in the US have endometriosis. • It is most common among women aged 30-40. • This is a common condition among nurses. Symptoms • Very painful menstrual cramps that worsens over time • Chronic lower back and pelvis pain • Pain during sex • Bleeding/spotting between menstrual periods • Infertility • Digestive problems |
| Risk Factors | • Age • History of inflammatory bowel disease • Family history of colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps • Genetics • Non-insulin dependent type 2 disease • Men with a history of testicular cancer • Being overweight • Lack of purposeful movement • Smoking • Alcohol use • Diet low in fiber | Causes for Endometriosis are unknown. More research is needed. |
| What can nurses do for prevention? | • Colorectal cancer SCREENING-Starting at age 45 years for those with average risk • Those with a history of IBS or family history of colorectal cancer should consider screening before 45 years. • Consider reducing consumption of red meat and increase fiber, fruits, and vegetables. • Consider increasing purposeful movement • Reducing alcohol consumption and tobacco use | Since causes are unknown, it is also unclear how to prevent the condition. More research is needed. |
| Diagnosis | • Stool tests • Blood tests • Medical history and physical exam • Diagnostic colonoscopy • Biopsy | • Pelvic Exam • Ultrasound • MRI • Laparoscopy |
| Treatment | • Chemotherapy • Surgery • Immunotherapy | • There is no cure for treating endometriosis. • Hormonal birth control • Supportive pain management • Complimentary therapies such as acupuncture • We need more research |
| Training with CEs | Colorectal Cancer Screening Continuing Education | |
| Resource for more information | Colorectal Cancer Statistics | How Common Is Colorectal Cancer? | American Cancer Society | Endometriosis (who.int) |
| USCS Data Visualizations - CDC | Endometriosis | Office on Women's Health (womenshealth.gov) | |
| Colorectal (Colon) Cancer | CDC | ||
| Colorectal Cancer-Catching It Early Infographic |
April: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Every month, organizations spotlight health conditions to increase awareness. As noted in allnurses.com, April is the month to spotlight Autism. Here’s a bit of information nurses should know about Autism.
| Definition | Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, is defined as a complex developmental disability; signs typically appear during early childhood and affect a person's ability to communicate and interact with others. |
| Statistics and Trends | Autism is a lifelong condition, with currently no cure. It is also one of the fastest growing, least funded developmental disorders. Current statistics tell us that one in every 68 children in America has a form of autism. In June 2014, researchers estimated the cost of caring for a child with autism is as high as $2.4 million over a lifetime. The estimated cost for the United States to care for autism is $90 billion a year. |
| Risk Factors/Prevention | At this time, nothing has been proven to cause autism including genetic factors and vaccines. |
| Diagnosis | A medical diagnosis of Autism spectrum disorder is most frequently made utilizing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5, released 2013) of the American Psychiatric Association. |
| Treatment | Currently, there are no cures, but with early diagnosis and interventions, individuals can experience improved outcomes. |
| Nursing Considerations | Early Screening including developmental monitoring should be considered. When caring for adults on the Autism Spectrum, you may need to use additional resources for communication. There also may be associated conditions to consider, such as Epilepsy, Gastrointestinal disorders, mental health, and sleep disturbances. |
| Resources for More Information | For more information on Autism, check out the following additional resources: |
| CDC's "Know the Signs. Act Early | Texas Autism Resource Guide for interventions |
| Follow @AutismSpeaks on Twitterr | Autism Source |
| Autism-Society.org | Autismspeaks.org |
| Iancommunity.org | Nationalautismassociation.org |
| https://allnurses.com/april-autism-awareness-month-t644683/ | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851469/ |
Accelerating Science to Improve Early Autism Screening
Today, thanks to research focused on embedding routine screening in well-baby checkups, the early signs of autism can be identified in children as young as 12–14 months. These efforts, many supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), show that making early autism screening part of routine health care can have a significant impact on children and families, helping connect them to support and services as early as possible.
- Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how people interact, communicate, and learn.
- Making early autism screening part of routine health care helps connect families to support and services as early as possible.
- Despite American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines, only a small fraction of pediatricians reported screening for autism at well-child visits.
- NIMH-supported efforts to close the gap between science and practice have yielded key insights into effective strategies for expanding early autism screening.
- Researchers are identifying new tools for detection, new models for delivering services, and new strategies for embedding early autism screening and rapid referral into routine health care.
Nursing Considerations: How to Positively Impact Your Nursing Care for the LGBTQ+ Community.
Author: Faleasha Gallagher, MPH, RN, PCCN, TNCC
WNA Tri-council member
- Educate yourself:Learn about LGBTQ+ history, culture, and current issues.
- Learn how pride month came to be: The History of Pride: How Activists Fought to Create LGBTQ+ Pride
- Learn where same-sex marriage is legal: Same-Sex Marriage Around the World
- Learn about LGBTQ+ experiences: CAP Survey Data on LGBTQI+ Experiences
Use the correct terminology: When caring for patients, use the correct LGBTQ+ terminology.
| Sexual Orientation | Gender Identity |
|---|---|
| Romantic or sexual preferences | Manifestation or expression of gender |
| Labels: straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, asexual, etc. | Labels: man, woman, nonbinary, transgender |
***A patient’s sexual orientation does not inherently define their gender or gender expression or that of the patient’s partner(s).
(NurseJournal Staff, 2024)
| Pronouns | Language considerations for addressing people | |
|---|---|---|
| he/him/his | Use their name | Use inclusive terms like construction worker postal worker |
| she/her/hers | Say you | Introduce yourself with your pronouns first |
| they/them/theirs | In groups use you all or everyone | Never assume you know a person’s pronouns by looking at them |
(LGBTQIA Resource Center, 2024)
- Ask questions:Ask questions that focus on behaviors that impact health instead of sexual orientation.
- Review language to talk about sexual history: Taking A Sexual History
- Use resources to enhance your knowledge on the LGBTQ+ community.
- Promote a welcoming environment: Help promote a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ patients by wearing pride swag.
- Support policies:Support and promote policies and practices that reduce harm and improve affirmative care.
- Policies and bans for LQBTQ+ community in WI ACLU LGBTQIA Rights
- Attend events:Participate in local Pride events, such as parades, marches, or festivals.
- June 6-8th, 2024 Milwaukee's Pride Fest
Resources:
LGBTQIA Resource Center, (April, 2024). Pronouns & inclusive language. Retrieved from: https://lgbtqia.ucdavis.edu/educated/pronouns-inclusive-language
NurseJournal Staff, (April, 2024). Nurse Journal. Nursing care for LGBTQ+ patients: Tips and resources. Retrieved from: https://nursejournal.org/articles/nursing-care-lgbtq-patients/
Ways for nurses to improve their practice during Minority Mental Health Awareness Month• Educate patients
Talk with patients about mental health regarding how it can impact physical health and normalize discussing emotions.
Provide resources
Have visible signage about mental health in appointment rooms, in waiting rooms, and online.
Screen Patients
Screen patients for depression using PHQ-9 form, screen for anxiety using GAD-7 form, and refer patients to accessible mental health services.
Communicate effectively
Use non-stigmatizing language when referring to or speaking with patients. Review Preferred Terms forSelect Population Groups & Communities from the CDC for more information.
Attend further training
Consider attending cultural sensitivity training to better serve minority populations. Review CulturalCompetence In Health And Human Services from the CDC for more information.
Advocate for policy change
Write to your local representatives to advocate for improving mental health policies and funding for minority communities. Review “The US Playbook to Address Social Determinants of Health” to review current approaches from the government.
| Recognize symptoms of stress in yourself & your patients
• Feeling irritated, angry, or in denial • Feeling uncertain, nervous, or anxious • Feeling helpless or powerless • Having a lack of motivation • Feeling tired, overwhelmed, or burned out • Feeling sad or depressed • Having trouble sleeping • Having trouble concentrating (CDC, 2024). |
Citations
CDC. (2024). Support for public health workers and health professionals. Retrieved from:https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/public-health-workers/index.html
El Centro de Corazon. (2018). July is mental health minority month. Retrieved from:
https://www.elcentrodecorazon.org/july-is-minority-mental-health-awareness-month/
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women in the United States. It is the 2nd leading cause of death from cancer among women. Only lung cancer kills more women each year.
Five Important Statistics:
- Breast cancer rates are increasing (but deaths from breast cancer have been decreasing).
- White women are slightly more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than women of other races or ethnicities, but Non-Hispanic Black women are significantly more likely to die from breast cancer than women of other races or ethnicities.
- Breast cancer is most often diagnosed in women in their 60s.
- Breast cancer survival rates have improved in recent years.
- The number of breast cancer survivors in the United States is more than 4 million.
2024 Screening Recommendations for Breast Cancer from the U.S. Preventative Task Force
What’s New in Breast Cancer Research? https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about/whats-new-in-breast-cancer-research.html
- Research studies
- Breast cancer causes
- Breast cancer prevention
- New tests to personalize treatment
- New imaging tests
- Breast cancer treatment
- Supportive care
References
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/about/how-common-is-breast-cancer.html
https://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/features/breast-cancer-statistics/
Definition
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden death of a baby less than 1 year old that occurs with no known cause, even after investigation by medical professionals and law enforcement.
A sudden and unexpected death of an infant without an obvious cause may be called a Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) before an investigation is completed.
Statistics & Trends
United States
In the United States, there were 1,389 infant deaths due to SIDS in 2020, which is equal to 38.4 deaths per 100,000 live births.
SIDS rates have decreased by over 90 deaths per 100,000 live births between 1990 and 2020 (130.27 and 38.4).
SIDS was the cause of 41% of SUID cases in 2020. Other causes of SUID were either unknown or due to accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed.
In 2020, SIDS rates per 100,000 live births were highest among Non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander infants (86.2), Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native infants (75.2), and Non-Hispanic Black infants (72.3). SIDS rates per 100,000 live births were lowest among Non-Hispanic White infants (33.9), Hispanic infants (21.2) and Non-Hispanic Asian infants (8.4).
Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, between 2019 and 2021, the average SIDS rate per 100,000 live births was 12.9. Nationally, the rate was 37.1 averaged over the same period of time.
Diagnosis
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is labeled as the cause of death if information cannot be found to support other causes of death after:
- Complete autopsy
- Examination of the scene of death
Review of the infant’s medical history
Risk Factors
It is not currently known what causes SIDS, but there is an informed theory from what researchers have found called the Triple-Risk Model.
Based on the Triple-Risk Model, an infant may be at an increased risk for SIDS if they have one or more unknown medical conditions, is going through a period of development, and the infant encounters one or more outside stressors. When all three risk factors are present, an infant is at an increased risk for SIDS.
Examples of the three Triple-Risk Model risk factors:
- Unknown medical conditions, such as those that are genetic or affect the brain, can affect heart rate and breathing.
- Periods of development, especially between birth and six months old, can change an infant’s blood pressure, breathing, and sleeping patterns.
Outside stressors may include the infant being placed on their stomach to sleep or being exposed to secondhand smoke.
Prevention
Nursing Consideration
Educate parents and caregivers on the importance of safe sleep practices and other preventative measures that can help prevent SIDS.
Refer caregivers to Cribs for Kids if there are financial barriers keeping them from having a safe place for the infant to sleep at home. Cribs for Kids partners with local agencies across the country to provide free portable cribs for those in need.
Collaborate with social workers to help provide any additional resources caregivers may need to care for an infant outside of the hospital or clinical setting.