In recent years, an expanding body of research evidence has begun to high- light the value of nursing care. This evidence confirms what nurses have known for many years - that nursing care helps more patients to get better quicker. Patients value nurses as those members of the health care team that make them feel 'human' and ensure that their treatment is not more of an ordeal than their illness. The research also shows that nursing care is value for money. For the 29000 women who are diagnosed with breast cancer annuaIly, the value of nursing is self evident. Every woman should have access to the care, expertise and support of a breast care nurse. Nursing care is changing. Patients are rightly more informed about different treatment options and more assertive in seeking high quality services. They are much more likely to be aware that breast care nurses have a special service to offer and they are very likely to want help and support at horne as weIl as or instead of in hospital., The outreach work of breast care nurses provides a model for many other patient services where people need continuous support from before diagnosis, through diagnosis, surgery or treatment, to after care, rehabilitation and monitoring.
