Breast cancer patients can navigate care at home with a new skills kit

CHICAGO (September 30, 2021): With the exception of skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women. This year more than 330,000 new cases of breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed according to the American Cancer Society. The COVID-19 pandemic has further challenged these vulnerable patients as well as the thousands of others currently going through cancer treatment and recovery, making some hesitant to leave their homes for necessary screenings, treatments, and consults.

But a new program recently released from the American College of Surgeons Surgical Patient Education Program can help breast cancer patients gain the knowledge and tools they need—from the comfort of their own home—to prepare for exams, medical tests, surgery, and even recovery. The program provides evidence-based knowledge, checklists, and skills training for self-care. It is also a helpful resource for family members and other caregivers who support patients during their breast cancer journey to healing. 

The ACS Your Breast Cancer Surgery skills kit

• Introduces patients to the care they will need beginning with diagnosis and follows the patient through additional treatments
• Uses video and images to simplify complex information so that patients are confident in their decisions about their care and treatment plan
• Helps patients learn and practice skills to take care of themselves at all stages of care
• Was developed by leaders in breast cancer care, including surgeons, nurses, physical therapists, and patients

The skills kit program is publicly available online and will be featured on the American College of Surgeons website during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Visit: http://www.facs.org/yourbreastsurgery. 

Further, the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer urges patients to resume regular screenings for all cancers and schedule appointments that they may have delayed due to COVID-19.  

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Note to producers, editors, and writers: View media kit here for Your Breast Cancer Surgery. Contact the ACS Office of Public Information to arrange an interview with

• a surgeon using the Your Breast Cancer Surgery skills kit with patients
• a patient who has used the skills kit at home
• a surgical nurse educator who contributed to the development of the program

About the American College of Surgeons

The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and improve the quality of care for all surgical patients. The College is dedicated to the ethical and competent practice of surgery. Its achievements have significantly influenced the course of scientific surgery in America and have established it as an important advocate for all surgical patients. The College has more than 84,000 members and is the largest organization of surgeons in the world. For more information, visit www.facs.org.