Background and context: Breast cancer has the highest incidence and prevalence among cancers in Indonesia. Indonesian rural society has low level of breast cancer knowledge and self examination practice. Difficulty for accessing breast cancer primary health care screening also caused negligence. Furthermore, ignorance and economy situation made patients chose alternative treatments. Hence, most cases are detected at late stages, in which late diagnosis and treatment resulted in high mortality. Aim: Decrease breast cancer mortality by increasing breast cancer knowledge level, monthly self-examination practice awareness, and mass screening for early detection of breast cancer. Strategy/Tactics: In conjunction with National Cancer Control Committee event at 2017, we did a one day social occasion of education and early detection screening for breast cancer in Indonesia rural communities. Participants were gathered with mass announcement from primary health care workers. An expert brought an education class, then parallel screening rooms were provided for all participants. Program/Policy process: Phase one (2017) consists of establishing a good basic education and screening system. We gave free invitation to district health office to be distributed to a local primary health care and participate in a small education class brought by breast cancer specialist. Materials consist of basic knowledge and risk factors, self-examination awareness, diagnostic and treatment procedure, and referral process. Afterward, participants got breast physical exam screening by general clinicians. In phase two (2018), we added questionnaires to assess the effectiveness of education class in increasing knowledge level and self-practice awareness. An ultrasonography examination was added to narrow the diagnosis. Participants with higher risk factor or positive findings were given extra consultation. All participants were referred to our secondary referral General Hospital at Karawaci district, Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia. Outcomes: In 2017, 10% of participants had positive results and referred for further tests. In 2018, education class significantly increase knowledge and breast self-exam practice awareness. Moreover, ultrasonography examination narrowed positive diagnosis from 13% to 7%. What was learned: Education and early detection screening to primary health cares across Indonesia are needed to gather breast cancer cases at earliest stadium, hopefully could decrease breast cancer mortality. Feedbacks from participants showed that feeling of importance played important role and can only be developed internally after the disease became personal. Mobile mammography examination will help establishing breast cancer diagnosis. Budget is an issue, participants must be filtered beforehand based on risk factors for positive diagnostic results. A follow up and reminder system is needed to ensure participants follows proper management steps.
Breast Cancer Education and Screening in Indonesian Rural Community: A Programme Trial