Implementation of a prechemotherapy educational intervention for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

Women newly diagnosed with breast cancer often are misled by false information regarding treatments and side effects. Web sites can be filled with graphic stories and false information about chemotherapy. Research has examined how patients handle the side effects of chemotherapy physically and emotionally during treatment. No standardized prechemotherapy intervention has been developed to assist patients with breast cancer preparing for chemotherapy. A 30-minute educational intervention provided by nurses before the start of chemotherapy may assist women in increasing their knowledge of chemotherapy treatment, enhancing their ability to manage side effects and improving their coping strategies.