Course ID: FQUEWU302
Course Name: Overview of Breast Cancer
Credits: 2

This two contact hour home study continuing education course is designed to give a comprehensive overview of both the disease of breast cancer and its treatment. Discussion begins with an overview of breast cancer epidemiology, which includes recent information on cancer statistics, as well as established and proposed risk factors. Next the American Cancer Society's recommendations for breast cancer screening, developments and controversies in genetic testing, and approaches to diagnosing and staging patients are presented. In addition, the nursing response and treatment intervention related to early stage disease and adjuvant therapies are discussed.

About the Author
Ms. Casella received her bachelors degree in nursing from University of Phoenix, and is currently a masters student in nursing at Florida Atlantic University. Her area of expertise is in hematology and oncology. Ms. Casella is a well-known national speaker in the area of solid and hematological malignancies, symptom management, and clinical pathways.

Course Objectives
Upon completion of this home study continuing education course, the participant will be able to:

1. Identify individuals at risk for the development of breast cancer.
2. Articulate current screening guidelines.
3. Discuss the importance of staging and prognostic factors related to breast cancer and its treatment.
4. Identify the difference between non-invasive and invasive breast cancer.
5. Explain the concept of adjuvant therapy and how it is utilized.
6. State the common toxicities of adjuvant chemotherapy.
7. Discuss current nursing responses to breast cancer treatment.