Breast awareness

Background and context: Thiruvananthapuram has the highest breast cancer incidence in India and majority of cases are detected late pointing to the inefficiency of early detection programs. Primary health care providers do not advise regarding regular screening and most women never resort to any screening practices. Mammogram is not cost-effective and clinical breast examination (CBE) is not popular as a screening modality in our population. Aim: To describe the conduct, utilization and outcome of mass screening program conducted in Thiruvananthapuram. Strategy: A mass screening program with media publicity to motivate organizations and residential associations was planned. CBE was conducted by one of the five lady doctors who were trained by an expert breast surgeon at a tertiary care center to detect suspicious lumps. All suspicious cases referred to experts who would further evaluate the cases at a clinic outside the tertiary care center. Advocacy and expert service at accessible sites and availability of expert service outside the tertiary care center at convenient timings improved the acceptance of screening. Intersectoral coordination, community participation, accessible expert services and appropriate technology were followed. Program/Policy process: 9942 women had CBE along with breast awareness in 101 camps over 66 days and it was probably “the first ever marathon breast cancer screening campaign” in the world. Sociodemographic variables, details regarding previous screening, breast symptoms and known risk factors were collected. Anyone with suspicious findings was referred to experts. Outcomes: 868 (8.73%) women with suspicious findings were referred to experts who advised 258 mammograms and confirmed breast cancer in 16 women (1.61 per 1000 women). Mean age was 45.46 years. 82.5% had screening for the first time. Uniformity in examination, three levels of screening and minimum utilization of diagnostic procedures makes this campaign distinct from others. All participants are kept on follow-up through a free clinic maintained by a nonprofit NGO in Thiruvananthapuram. Effective planning and selfless service along with coordinated effort of an apex institution (Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram), a private medical college (Sree Gokulam Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram) and media partners were the key to success. What was learned: Early detection of breast cancer is possible by CBE, provided women can be motivated for regular screening and adequate expertise is available. CBE campaigns can improve screening behavior and breast awareness among women. Primary health care providers and mass media could educate women regarding the benefits of breast awareness and motivate them for regular screening. Proper referral system including certified intermediate referral centers should be in place to ensure the success of early detection by CBE.

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BREAST SELF EXAMINATION

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2011.18.02.2107 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 18 (02) ◽

pp. 336-339

Author(s):

ZEHRA PARVANI

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Health Promotion ◽

Breast Cancer Mortality ◽

Breast Disease ◽

Systemic Review ◽

Breast Cancers ◽

Breast Self Examination ◽

Key Words Breast ◽

Breast Awareness ◽

Self Examination

Aim: The purpose of this systemic review is to explore the literature on breast self examination and on breast awareness. Objectives: To evaluate the importance of breast awareness. (1) To prove breast awareness is a an effective strategy for health promotion. (2) To clarify the difference between breast awareness and breast self examination. (3) To critique self breast examination as an effective method for screening breast cancers. Methodology: To review the literature supporting breast self examination and breast awareness Medline, CINAHL, Pubmed, Science Direct and Cochrane Databases were used. The key words “breast awareness”, “difference” and “breast self examination” were used in conjunction with “breast cancer”, “breast screening” and “health promotion” to search the recent articles of last 5 years from 2005 to 2010. Conclusions: It was concluded through the literature support that breast self-examination does not reduce breast cancer mortality whereas; breast awareness provides women with some knowledge about the breasts to fight breast disease and to reduce morbidity but not to reduce the mortality.

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Breast awareness mobile application

Physica Medica ◽

10.1016/j.ejmp.2018.12.021 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 58 ◽

pp. 166-167

Author(s):

Irena Georgieva

Keyword(s):

Mobile Application ◽

Breast Awareness

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Promoting better breast awareness in teenagers

British Journal of School Nursing ◽

10.12968/bjsn.2009.4.3.41731 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 124-129 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jacqueline Harris ◽

Helen Graham ◽

Miriam Light

Keyword(s):

Breast Awareness

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Breast self examination training and counseling as motivation strategies for breast awareness and participation in breast cancer screening programs

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2006.24.18_suppl.1027 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽

pp. 1027-1027

Author(s):

A. Artmann ◽

M. Heyne ◽

M. Kiechle ◽

N. Harbeck

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Breast Cancer Screening ◽

Gynecologic Cancer ◽

Cancer Worry ◽

Breast Cancer Family ◽

Screening Programs ◽

Breast Awareness ◽

Self Examination ◽

Breast Cancer Family History

1027 Background: In Germany, the particpation rate in gynecologic cancer and the Bavarian breast cancer screening program is only about 30%. Therefore, the impact of counseling and raising confidence in breast self examination (BSE) by a structured BSE training on breast awareness, acceptance of screening offer, and participation rate was evaluated. For evaluation of the training quality, specified MammaCare data sheets and questionnaires were used. Method: Since 2003, 167 women (mean age 35 y; range 19–65 y; 61% ≥40 y) got intensive breast cancer counceling and were professionally trained in MammaCare BSE; 41% had positive breast cancer family history. In their beginner’s course, trainees got general BSE information, covering breast anatomy, breast symptoms, breast cancer screening and therapy. Participants practised BSE, after training on tactually accurate silicone breast models with simulated lumps in order to discriminate normal nodularity from lumps. After 3 months, the supervision sessions included BSE evaluation and - again - professional instruction. In a model exam false positive and negative findings were documented. In breast exams, performance technique and breast tissue coverage were assessed. At both initial sessions and after 12 months, questionnaires on BSE practice, experience, and compliance, cancer worry, acceptance and participation at cancer screening programs were evaluated. Results: Breast cancer worry, anxiety, and lack of information were the main reasons for program participation. Within 3 months after the base course, mean decrease of breast cancer worry was about 95%. Participation in gynecologic and breast cancer screening (≥40 y) more than doubled (94% and 86%). Even after 12 months, these numbers remain consistent. 80% of participants practice BSE monthly, and 46% reported changes in lifestyle regarding nutrition and obesity. Conclusions: Our approach emphasizes importance of self confidence and awareness for participation in cancer screening, also in women with breast cancer family history. Counseling, BSE re-evaluation and reinforcement are correlated with decreased breast cancer worry, a main barrier against participation in breast and gynecologic cancer screening. [Table: see text]

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Breast awareness activity by “Smile Mamma Marianna”

Nihon Nyugan Kenshin Gakkaishi (Journal of Japan Association of Breast Cancer Screening) ◽

10.3804/jjabcs.30.35 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 35-38

Author(s):

Miwako Maezato ◽

Yuri Ogawa ◽

Mitsue Koizumi ◽

Mamoru Fukuda

Keyword(s):

Breast Awareness

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