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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Elements define the essential outcomes
  2. Promote awareness and early detection of breast cancer
  3. Provide information and support to clients being investigated for a breast cancer symptom
  4. Provide information and support to clients being treated for breast cancer
  5. Provide information and support to clients to complete breast cancer follow-up care

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role.

There must be evidence that the candidate has:

provided support to at least three different women diagnosed with breast cancer by offering:

- advice about available treatment

- information about further diagnostic tests and investigation techniques

- explanation of available services and their roles

- support to clients undergoing breast cancer treatment, including assistance with:

o information regarding different treatment options

o liaison with other services to ensure appropriate exchange of client information

o care plans and their implementation

o identifying and addressing barriers to receiving treatment

o access to support services for the client and their families

- follow-up with clients and identification of psychosocial issues, referring as required

- a collaborative approach to working with the multidisciplinary health care team to support client needs

communicated effectively and in a culturally safe and appropriate manner to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women to promote community awareness of and current information about breast cancer and its signs and symptoms and risk factors. This must occur on at least one occasion in a group environment.


Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role.

This includes knowledge of:

early signs and symptoms of breast cancer

risk factors of early breast cancer

early detection breast cancer strategies such as:

- breast awareness

- mammography screening every two years

statistical incidence, survival and mortality rates of breast cancer in the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander population compared to the whole Australian population

definition of breast cancer, including:

- Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)

- early breast cancer

- secondary breast cancer

healthy lifestyle strategies to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer

the three diagnostic components (also known as triple test) of early breast cancer which are:

- medical history and clinical breast examination

- imaging-mammography and/or ultrasound

- biopsy

treatments for early breast cancer, including the aim of treatment, duration and side-effects, including:

- chemotherapy

- hormonal therapy

- radiotherapy

- surgery (mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery)

- targeted therapy

the key psychosocial issues for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women with breast cancer, including:

- emotional

- psychological

- physical

- practical

agencies able to provide support and assistance to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women with breast cancer.