Novel factors to improve prediction of nodal positivity in patients with clinical T1/T2 breast cancers.

Background: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) have established nomograms to predict sentinel node positivity. We propose the addition of two novel variables-distance of tumor from the nipple and from the skin-can improve their performance.

Methods: Ultrasounds of clinical T1/T2 tumors were reviewed.

Effect of massage therapy for postsurgical mastectomy recipients.

This quality improvement pilot study evaluated the effect of massage therapy on pain, anxiety, and overall well-being in women who received mastectomies at a busy hospital practice. Participants reported a significant reduction in pain, stress, and muscle tension, as well as an increase in relaxation. Oncology nurses should consider the feasibility of massage therapy as a valuable nonpharmcologic pain management strategy.

A retrospective examination of the relationship between implementation quality of the coordinated school health program model and school-level academic indicators over time.

Background: Although models such as the coordinated school health program (CSHP) are widely available to address student health needs, school professionals have been unconvinced that scarce resources should be allocated to improving student health. Concern that attention may be diverted from meeting academic accountability goals is often seen as a reason not to attend to student health. Despite continuing calls for the study of multicomponent health programs in relation to educational achievement, the understanding of the extent to which adherence to the characteristics of CSHP contributes to or compromises academic outcomes over time remains incomplete.