Teaching Breast Exam to High Schoolers.

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I would like to teach breast examination to high school girls. I have the models that include abnormalities but was wondering if anyone has done this and how it was received?

Thanks

Specializes in Pediatrics, Community Health, School Health.

I actually think both breast and testicular exams would be important to teach them in HS.

I don't see teaching kids breast and testicular self exams as a front burner topic in HS.

Prove me wrong. Maybe I am missing something?

Specializes in Pediatrics, Community Health, School Health.

Interesting read:

Non-Profit Teaching Teens How To Do Cancer Self Exams - Hartford Courant

Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
I don't see teaching kids breast and testicular self exams as a front burner topic in HS.

Prove me wrong. Maybe I am missing something?

Had a coworker who lost her 18 year old nephew to testicular cancer. He just went off to freshman year of college and found dead in bed. It does strike younger and younger.

I'm so sorry for your co-workers' loss.

Sudden onset testicular cancer is certainly a new one.

I think it's great to introduce the topics (time allowing.) They need to become familiar with their own bodies and what's their "normal" so that if something is different they know to be seen. Kudos.

Specializes in school nursing.

I love this idea! I can see how it may not seem like one of the more pressing issues for the teenage age group, but I like how it could spark an important topic these kids can share at home with older family members. I actually graduated high school with two girls who had to have lumps removed at the age of 18...and my graduating class was only 160! I sure hope this doesn't mean the avg age is trending younger and younger...

Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.

I learned self breast examination in high school and the dudes learned testicular exams as well. As another poster mentioned, home SBEs don't really appear to have any supportive evidence of reducing mortality from breast cancer.

I wish I could teach a class on something. I do instructive things whenever I have the opportunity or time (which isn't often) and I love it.

I love this idea! I can see how it may not seem like one of the more pressing issues for the teenage age group, but I like how it could spark an important topic these kids can share at home with older family members. I actually graduated high school with two girls who had to have lumps removed at the age of 18...and my graduating class was only 160! I sure hope this doesn't mean the avg age is trending younger and younger...

This.

Thanks.

:barefoot:

Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
I'm so sorry for your co-workers' loss.

Sudden onset testicular cancer is certainly a new one.

This was 15 years ago, but it struck me how young he was. No one knew how long he had it, he may have been in denial, like the women who come into the hospital with cauliflower breasts, or he may not have thought anything was abnormal.

Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.
I actually think both breast and testicular exams would be important to teach them in HS.

This!!!!! A dear friend's son passed away at 16 after battling cancer that started

in his testicles. I don't believe enough emphasis is placed on checking the

testicles for lumps.

Specializes in School nursing.

I think it is also important to teach students what may be abnormal and that is actually OK to talk about it.

So many students are not comfortable talking about "down there," even if they are exploring. They want to be normal. While I do not teach breast/testicular exams (though that is an interesting topic I could explore in my ever evolving HS curriculum), I do teach sex education and cover the spectrum of normal.

However, part of that is also to let teenagers know that if they are uncertain if it is normal, it is okay to talk to someone. This can be hard for me to connect with in terms of the boys (several girls have checked in with me about issues since I started teaching), and I am forever searching for resources and ways to improve this. Some boys don't have a male role model to talk with outside of school that they may share any concerns with.

OP, I think it is awesome you are able to teach this!

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