A Breast Cancer Survivor

1
A Breast Cancer Survivors Story

• Barbara Akpan, RN, BSN
• Presented to
• The Institute of Medicine of Chicago
• and
• Multiple Co-Sponsors
• December 6, 2004
• Chicago, IL

2
Survivorship Conceptual Framework
Adapted from Lyons, et.al (2002) Womens
Experience of Breast Cancer
3
Diagnostic Phase

• Receiving the Diagnosis
• Get the Diagnosis in the Mail
• Psycho-Social Issues
• Uncertainty
• Negative Body Image
• Depression
• Emotional Issues
• Fear of Dying
• Feeling of becoming a burden
• Fear of losing livelihood and avocation

4
Treatment PhasePeriod of Resilience

• Captain of the Team
• Competent Providers
• Clinical Trial Referral
• Interruption in Continuity of Care

5
Resolution and Healing Phase

• Coping Strategy
• Hope, Faith, Focus
• Determine to Fight Spirit
• Occupational Concerns
• The personal financial burden of a cancer
  diagnosis is a major source of stress, second
  only to the disease itself.
• Arozullah, et. al (2004)
• Quality of Life Issues

6
Recommendations to IOM -I

• Universal Health Insurance
• Everybody In - Nobody Out
• Quentin Young, MD
• Participatory Research
• Development of Screening Techniques for Younger
  Women

7
Recommendations to IOM - II

• Provider Education
• Consumer Education
• Recruitment of Minorities in Clinical Trials
• Establishing a System of Care

8
Establishing a System of Care

• Chicago Chapter Black Nurses Association (CCBNA)
  Breast Health Awareness
• Gildas Club Chicago - Breast Support Group
• American Cancer Society Reach to Recovery
• 1-800-ACS 2345
• UIC Center for Population Health and Health
  Disparities
• Sisters Network A National Breast Cancer
  Survivors Support Group
• Access Network Stand Against Cancer
• NCI Cancer Information Service
• 1-800-4CANCER

9
Contact Information

• Barbara J. Akpan, RN, BSN
• Cancer Chair
• Chicago Chapter National Black Nurses Association
• bjakpan_at_AOL.com

10
Acknowledgements

• I would like to express my sincere and undying
  gratitude to Ms. Margaret A. Davis, RN, MSN for
  her direction and tutelage.
• Further, I am grateful to Salim Al-Nurridin,
  Executive Director of the HealthCare Consortium
  of Illinois for his administrative support and
  use of resources
• Many special thanks to Dr. Webster for inviting
  me to speak at the great occasion.
• God Bless