The role of the nurse in developing cancer screening programs.
OBJECTIVE
To describe and provide an overview of the role that nurses can play in developing cancer screening programs.


METHODS
Published articles, book chapters, and clinical experience.


RESULTS
Many approaches and considerations are available for developing cancer screening programs. Planning considerations include needs assessment, patient-education strategies, funding, recruitment issues, follow-up strategies, staffing, policy development, and evaluation. An understanding of these considerations may lead to more effective cancer screening programs.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses can play an integral role in the development and management of cancer screening programs. Careful program planning may enhance this process.


CONCLUSIONS
Oncology nurses need to consider a wide range of issues when developing cancer screening programs, including the purpose of the program, how the program will be implemented, the population being served, and the potential impact on individuals being served.
Mahon
S M
SM
Division of Hematology and Oncology, School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, MO, USA. mahonsm@slu.edu
D005378:Financial Support; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D018579:Patient Selection; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*