The 5W organizational tool: Advancing breast cancer equity in nursing education

Abstract

Background

Black women in the United States experience disproportionately high breast cancer mortality driven by complex structural, social, and clinical factors that shape access to high-quality care. Nursing education plays an important role in preparing nurses to recognize and respond to the multilevel contributors that sustain these disparities.

Innovation/major points

This article demonstrates how the 5W organizational tool deepens learners’ understanding of inequitable breast cancer outcomes by examining what is occurring within a disparity, why inequities persist, who is most affected, when gaps emerge across the care continuum, and where nursing interventions can be implemented. Grounded in this structure, the 5Ws support integration of equity-focused concepts across academic and clinical environments to strengthen equity-centered decision making.

Implications

Barriers to implementation exist at interpersonal, cultural, institutional, and societal levels, underscoring the need for intentional curricular design, alignment with equity-focused competencies, and incorporation of policy-relevant content within nursing programs.

Conclusions

Equipping nurses with equity-centered competencies are essential for addressing breast cancer disparities among Black women and strengthening health equity across the cancer care continuum.