Date of Graduation

Summer 8-6-2020

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Program

Family Nurse Practitioner

First Advisor

Dr. Alexa Curtis

Second Advisor

Dr. Barbara Sattler

Abstract

Breast cancer places a large burden on many communities, causing mortalities, and lasting physical, mental, and financial damage. The majority of cases are not caused by a genetic risk factor, which speaks to the importance of addressing environmental risk factors to reduce disease burden. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is linked to increase risk for and metastasis of breast cancer. BPA is widely used in plastics, exposing a huge portion of the United States population. This project used the model developed for the Green Choices program to trial response to the use of an environmental risk survey and education tool that can be utilized in a primary care setting. Surveys and an education sheet on reducing BPA exposure was distributed virtually to pregnant women and women with children under the age of five, a population that is highly susceptible to the negative impacts of BPA on breast tissue. Although plastic use in participants did not show a statistically significant reduction, response to the information was positive. Participants agreed that they want more environmental health education from their providers and believed their behavior would change in the future. This project would benefit from clinic-based implementation with a larger sample size.

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