Background and context: In the world, breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer, with >1 million cases being diagnosed each year. In Vietnam, according to the cancer registry, there are 12,533 new cases of cancer in 2012 and estimated at 22,612 in 2020. However, breast cancer can be cured if a woman is diagnosed at an early stage. Current screening programs in Vietnam are mainly organized in an active way by health workers, not by the “initiative” of the women. Aim: Community awareness raising on prevention and early detection of breast cancer; breast cancer screening for 10,000 Vietnamese women, especially for high-risk women, disadvantaged women, less chance for periodic health examination; mobilize the commitment of businesses to provide screening for women´s cancer in the regular health check-ups for female employees; make it become lifestyle of women to get screened every year. Strategy/Tactics: Invited women over 40 years old to free breast cancer screening at cancer clinics/hospital in the north, central and south of Vietnam. 100% of the women were clinically examined and free breast ultrasound. Suspected women were provided mammography; in addition, ∼20 companies/businesses were aware the program and invited to join the screening. Program/Policy process: We have registered counters in hospitals that offer screening. Women who care for relatives or visit sick people can register at the counter. In addition, we have a Web site and a hotline for the reception of screening candidates. We have volunteers who were texting to remind women who have been involved in screening from previous years to continue screening this year. To facilitate the screening of women without affecting their daily work as well as those who are far away, free screening was offered on Saturday and Sunday of 4 consecutive weeks. We also went to businesses where the majority of workers are women to organize screening. We have held “Doctor´s Talk” before each screening session. We have invited cancer specialists, celebrities and patients with breast cancer who have been cured of the disease to talk about the prevention of breast cancer. Throughout the talk, 150-200 women were registered to hear the counsel. Outcomes: 10,095 women came for breast screening, with 1126 mammographies, including 50 suspected cases and 11 cases of cancer. The rate of reexamination in 2017 is 9.5% (the rate of women who have screened in 2015 is 1.7%, 2016 is 6.7%, and 1.1% in both 2015 and 2016). What was learned: After 3 years, our project for screening detection of breast cancer was examination for 32,136 Vietnamese woman; mammography for 2851 woman; detected 130 suspected cases of cancer and 25 cases identified cancer. For cancer cases, we recommended and supported them at cancer hospital. In cases of suspicion, we have followed up and reminded them to regularly visit and immediately go to hospital if there are abnormal signs.
Knowledge, attitudes and practice of breast cancer screening among female health workers in a Nigerian urban city