title: Knowledge about breast cancer and hereditary breast cancer among nurses in a public hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the knowledge of nurses involved in the care of oncology patients in a public university hospital, regarding breast cancer and hereditary breast cancer, and to verify the use of such knowledge in their daily practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were obtained through a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Out of 154 nurses, 137 (88.9%) agreed to participate in the study. Two questionnaires were excluded such that 135 questionnaires were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The global percentage of correct answers was not associated with age (p=0.173) or degree/specialization (p=0.815). Questions were classified into categories. In categories involving knowledge of established breast cancer risk factors and indicators of hereditary breast cancer, the rate of correct answers was 65.8% and 66.4%, respectively. On the practice of genetic counseling, 40.7% of those interviewed were not sure about the definition of genetic counseling and 78.5% reported never having identified or referred a patient at genetic risk for specialized risk assessment. Practice of educational actions regarding this subject was reported by 48.5% of those interviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study reinforces the need to develop qualifying actions for nurses, so that strategies to control breast cancer become effective in their health care practice.
authors: Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: Carmen Maria Dornelles
authors: CM
authors: Prolla
authors: Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: Patrícia Santos
authors: PS
authors: da Silva
authors: Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: Cristina Brinckmann Oliveira
authors: CB
authors: Netto
authors: Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: José Roberto
authors: JR
authors: Goldim
authors: Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Ashton-Prolla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009729:Nursing; D057566:Self Report