Breast Awareness and Vulval Health

About the course

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. In recent years, survival has increased significantly due to early detection and improved treatment options. Early detection involves individuals being breast aware and it is important to achieve this awareness without increasing anxiety and performing unnecessary investigations.

The vulval area has not, perhaps, been a priority for many but disorders affecting the vulva can be incurable, uncomfortable, painful, distressing and life-threatening. Many women suffer in isolation with vulval disease and are afraid to speak about their problems to anyone, including husbands, partners, friends, family and doctors. All too often they are afraid and too embarrassed to seek help. Vulval cancer, skin conditions and pain syndromes have a significant effect on the lives of many women of all ages.

This course aims at improving the knowledge of nurses regarding the anatomy and physiology of the breast and to give increased awareness regarding vulval health and its related illnesses, thus enabling them to encourage women to do self-breast examination and easily identify at risk cases. Good knowledge and understanding helps them to be able to communicate concerns to the clients in an efficient manner, thus enabling early diagnosis and saving a life.

Learning Outcomes

Recall breast anatomy and physiology.
Identify common breast issues and gain an awareness of breast cancer epidemiology.
Recognise referral options for breast abnormalities.
Recall normal vulval anatomy.
Do a vulval history.
Recognise the impact of vulval health on quality of life.
Identify common skin conditions affecting the vulva.
Identify the clinical features of various vulvovaginal conditions.
Describe the management principles of vulval skin care.
Determine current evidence based practice.

CPD Points

2 Points

Duration

2 Hours (Self-Paced)