Life Experience Blog on Breast Cancer PDF

Hi. In this assessement we need write about the chronic condition(breast cancer) We need to choose the different background(except nepalese). we need to reflcet on lived experience and also need to write blog. we need four long blog and blog should be within 4 months period only. -Introduction should include incidence and prevalence(mostly important). -Introduction,blog and conclusion should be in first person. -I have attached all the documents below. If there is any question then please let me know. Reference should be less than 5 years

Running head: LIVED EXPERIENCES BLOG: BREAST CANCER
LIVED EXPERIENCES BLOG: BREAST CANCER
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

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Introduction
Breast cancer is a chronic condition associated with the development of cancerous tissue
development in the breast. Prevalent signs and symptoms of breast cancer include: presence of a
lump in the breast, abnormal changes in breast shape, dimpling, scarring or patchiness on the
skin of the breast and abnormal fluid secretion from the breast (Pérez et al. 2016). If left
uncontrolled, the trajectory of illness in breast cancer begins from the invasive ductal carcinoma,
or development of abnormally dividing, cancerous cells across the milk ducts to metastasizing
across surrounding tissues and organs of the body. Diagnostic procedures comprise of
mammogram while treatments involve hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, radiation or surgical
interventions (Freeman‐Gibb et al. 2017).
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW 2018), incidence rate
of breast cancer across Aboriginal Australians prevailed from 40 to 51 cases per 100, 000
individuals across remote regions. The rate of mortality due to breast cancer across Aboriginal
Australian females ranged from 9.7 to 15 deaths per 100, 000 individuals in rural areas
respectively. Despite early detection, poor rats of survival and participation in screening have
been reported across females with breast cancer belonging to Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander (ATSI) populations, due to the remote nature of their residence, lack of accessible
treatment or diagnostic services and lack of culturally competent healthcare services (AIHW
2018; Tapia et al. 2017).
Background
Before I write on how the last few weeks have been nothing but devastating for me, let
me introduce myself. My name is Bindi and I am a 65 year old Aboriginal woman living in

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Amata – a small, remote community in southern Australia, located 40km from the south of the
borders in the Northern Territory. I was born and bought up in Amata and I live with my
husband and my daughter Kirra. My leisure activities include fishing with my community and
taking part in our nightly family gathering where we gather, engaging in ‘cleansing’ or smoking,
interact and share stories and experiences. At this age, my hopes and aspirations of living in the
comfort and warmth of a complete family of my own and amongst the peacefulness of nature
seemed fulfilled – until, I got diagnosed with breast cancer (Payne 2018).
Blog Entries
Week 1: Blog Entry 1: Something is wrong…
I feel thankful every day because I believe that I have been lucky to receive all that I ever
wanted - a loving husband, a dutiful daughter, beautiful grandchildren and a home amidst my
people and nature. There was not a day where I did not feel grateful for my blessings. However,
last few days I noticed abnormal changes happening to my body. My breasts felt painful and red
and some areas seemed thicker and lumpier than usual. I almost passed this off as an effect of old
age and my time to pass into the afterlife. But yesterday, I woke up with an unbearable pain in
my breasts. I checked to find blood from my nipples and patches of skin peeling from my breast
(Cramer et al. 2017). I informed my daughter and husband and together, we set out to the nearest
hospital – located almost 20 km from our home! I almost gave up – what is the need of treatment
when there are no health centers in this area. But I thought of my family and pushed myself
nevertheless (Dasgupta et al. 2017).
Once we reached, a white lady took me alone to a room and immediately shot a few
questions at me: Was I older than 55? Did I smoke or drink? Did I have a late pregnancy? Did I

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have an early period? I seemed to tick the box for all questions. The lady merely told me that I
may have breast cancer and that I need to attend a mammography next week. Before I could ask
anything, she called for the next patient (Pilkington et al. 2017).
I was scared and confused beyond anything. I did not understand: yes I drank and smoke
and that I how we come together a community! How is that leading to breast cancer? Why
weren’t my husband and daughter allowed? Why is my age important? I felt disgusted and
disrespected. Just because I am not white that does not mean that I don’t deserve answers. I cried
the entire night. But I had to stay strong (Pilkington et al. 2017).
Week 2: Blog Entry 2: Where am I?
After several sleepless nights, I found the courage to enter the mammogram room. My
legs were shaking, my palms were sweaty. I had so many questions – isn’t there any other way
but to expose myself to a bunch of unknown people. Why can’t I see my husband and daughter?
I broke down. But before I could place my concerns – a sturdy lady, again white, rebuked me by
saying ‘quiet!’ and helped to disrobe. The next moment, I remember an elderly, pressing hard
against my breasts with a machine. Those few minutes were unbearable for me – not because of
the pain, but because of the shame and guilt. I wish I NEVER came here to this disrespectful
place. I wish I could pass to the afterlife in peace. Nobody listens to me! Nobody answers my
questions! Where is my family? Where am I? (Lyford et al. 2018; Pilkington et al. 2017).
Week 3: Blog Entry 3: A ray of hope…
I still have nightmares of that day. I still wake up screaming. But I have other concerns at
the moment. It seems that I have a Stage 4 breast cancer – the last and most severe stage where
cancerous cells have spread to my other organs. How do I know this? Well on the day I took my

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results, I was graced by the presence of Winnoa – the only Aboriginal nurse I could find in the
hospital. I broke down when I saw here – she felt like home in this unknown hellhole of a place!
She was so sweet. Not only did she calm me but she also assured that she will speak to the
oncologist on arranging for another care home with better facilities and with nurses from my
community (Meiklejohn et al. 2018). My family can be provided visiting and staying
arrangements as well! Winnoa made sure to discuss all details with me, the oncologist and my
husband and daughter. For now, the only option is surgically removing my breast. Before that I
have to take chemotherapy – Winnoa describes it as medicines to help reduce the size of the
tumor in my breast. She tells me that they have painful effects – but proceeding directly to
surgery is not safe. I agree. I have to fight. I have my family now (Meiklejohn et al. 2020; Youl
et al. 2016).
Week 4: Blog Entry 4: Corroboree in isolation … but, I am a Survivor!
A few nights later, here I am, lying in my bed, wincing, grimacing and almost screaming
at the pain I have all over my body. In the distance, I can hear everyone singing and dancing –
the Corroboree – my favorite Aboriginal ritual which I never missed even once in my life. But
here I am, vomiting my guts out, having the runs and grasping bundles of hair in my hands.
Winnoa told me all this would happen – but I have a shot at surviving. And besides, she took me
to a short visit to the care home – there were so many women and nurses in my community! All
were so encouraging. If chemo does not work, then surgery next month is inevitable. But I am
prepared. I now have a family – I am a survivor! (Meiklejohn et al. 2020; Youl et al. 2016).
Conclusion
One of the nursing actions which I will implement is my adherence to standard 2.2 of the
professional standards postulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA

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2016), which dictates on the importance of providing patient education compliant to a patient’s
unique cultural background. Indeed, a key theme which emerged in the blog is lack of cultural
competence. Lack of culturally competent services is one of the major barriers of breast cancer
reporting and treatment across ATSI females (Gibson, Lee and Crabb 2016). Further, as a part of
my nursing action, I will also adhere to NMBA (2016) standard 1.3., which directs nurses to be
respectful towards cultures and beliefs held by ATSI communities. Indeed, as evidenced in
research as well as in blogs, ATSI women hold feelings of doubt and fear during diagnosis and
prefer ‘yarning’ or the inclusion of practitioner interactions in the presence of their family
members (Pilkington et al. 2017). Thus prior to diagnosis and treatment, I will firstly educate
ATSI females concerning the signs, symptoms and treatment expectations for breast cancer in
culturally compliant, patient-centered terms. Additionally, as identified above, I will also be
respectful and empathetic towards cultural beliefs held by such patients, and will try my best to
provide them clarity concerning their doubts and fears. The third key nursing action which I will
demonstrate is adherence to the NMBA (2016) standard 2.5 which guides nurses to advocate for
their patient’s needs. It has been evidenced that lack of accessible and accountable healthcare
services in remote locations are key barriers to breast cancer screening and reporting across
ATSI females. Thus, if met with such patients in the future, I will seek to advocate on their
behalf to federal or state authorities concerning the need to provide funding or greater number
cultural competent services and resources for breast cancer in remote ATSI regions (Fox et al.
2017; Tapia et al. 2019).

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References
AIHW, 2018. Cancer In Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander People Of Australia, Breast Cancer
(In Females) (C50) - Australian Institute Of Health And Welfare. [online] Australian Institute of
Health and Welfare. Available at: <https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/can/109/cancer-in-
indigenous-australians/contents/cancer-type/breast-cancer-in-females> [Accessed 17 April
2020].
Cramer, H., Lauche, R., Klose, P., Lange, S., Langhorst, J. and Dobos, G.J., 2017. Yoga for
improving health‐related quality of life, mental health and cancer‐related symptoms in women
diagnosed with breast cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (1).
Dasgupta, P., Baade, P.D., Youlden, D.R., Garvey, G., Aitken, J.F., Wallington, I., Chynoweth,
J., Zorbas, H., Roder, D. and Youl, P.H., 2017. Variations in outcomes for Indigenous women
with breast cancer in Australia: A systematic review. European journal of cancer care, 26(6),
p.e12662.
Fox, W., Powell, M., Hyland, V. and Honeyball, F., 2017, March. Supportive care for women
with breast cancer living in rural Australia. In Cancer Forum (Vol. 41, No. 1, p. 62). The Cancer
Council Australia.
Freeman‐Gibb, L.A., Janz, N.K., Katapodi, M.C., Zikmund‐Fisher, B.J. and Northouse, L., 2017.
The relationship between illness representations, risk perception and fear of cancer recurrence in
breast cancer survivors. Psycho
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Gibson, A., Lee, C. and Crabb, S., 2016. Representations of women on Australian breast cancer
websites: Cultural ‘inclusivity’and marginalisation. Journal of Sociology, 52(2), pp.433-452.

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Lyford, M., Haigh, M.M., Baxi, S., Cheetham, S., Shahid, S. and Thompson, S.C., 2018. An
exploration of underrepresentation of Aboriginal cancer patients attending a regional
radiotherapy service in Western Australia. International journal of environmental research and
public health, 15(2), p.337.
Meiklejohn, J.A., Arley, B., Bailie, R., Adams, J., Garvey, G., Martin, J.H., Walpole, E.T. and
Valery, P.C., 2018. Community-identified recommendations to enhance cancer survivorship for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Australian journal of primary health, 24(3),
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Meiklejohn, J.A., Bailie, R., Adams, J., Garvey, G., Bernardes, C.M., Williamson, D.,
Marcusson, B., Arley, B., Martin, J.H., Walpole, E.T. and Valery, P.C., 2020. “I’ma Survivor”:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cancer Survivors’ Perspectives of Cancer
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NMBA, 2016. Nursing And Midwifery Board Of Australia - Professional Standards. [online]
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<https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines-Statements/Professional-
standards.aspx> [Accessed 17 April 2020].
Payne, H.E., 2018. The integration of music and belief in Australian Aboriginal
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Pérez, S., Conchado, A., Andreu, Y., Galdón, M.J., Cardeña, E., Ibáñez, E. and Durá, E., 2016.
Acute stress trajectories 1 year after a breast cancer diagnosis. Supportive Care in Cancer, 24(4),
pp.1671-1678.

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Pilkington, L., Haigh, M.M., Durey, A., Katzenellenbogen, J.M. and Thompson, S.C., 2017.
Perspectives of Aboriginal women on participation in mammographic screening: a step towards
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Tapia, K.A., Garvey, G., McEntee, M.F., Rickard, M., Lydiard, L. and Brennan, P.C., 2019.
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