Imaging Considerations and Interprofessional Opportunities in the Care of Breast Cancer Patients in the Neoadjuvant Setting.
Anna G Sorace, Sara Harvey, Anum Syed and 1 others
PMID 28927763WHAT IT FOUND
Mammography, ultrasound and MRI are used to detect and stage breast cancer during neoadjuvant therapy.
Oncology nurses can help patients by explaining tests, giving pre-testing instructions, and setting expectations about results.
Key findings
01Mammography, ultrasound and MRI are used to detect and stage breast cancer, determine eligibility for neoadjuvant therapy and monitor response.
02When initial imaging is inconclusive, radiologists, oncologists, advanced practice nurses and nurse navigators collaborate to decide the next diagnostic step.
03Oncology nurses help patients by explaining testing procedures, ensuring appropriate pre-testing instructions, and managing expectations about availability of results.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
This is a narrative review, not a systematic review, so it does not report how sources were selected or whether it covers all relevant studies. It does not test whether any imaging strategy or nursing role improves patient outcomes. Many imaging methods are described as emerging or investigational, and the review notes they lack standardization or broad validation. The nursing statements are general practice suggestions, not findings from a study of nursing care.
Declared interests
The article states the authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as proof that adding PET, quantitative MRI or nurse navigation improves breast cancer outcomes or treatment selection. It is a narrative review describing possible roles and limitations, not a trial of those strategies.