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A community-wide program in breast self-examination training and maintenance
J K Worden1, L J Solomon, B S Flynn
1Office of Health Promotion Research, University of Vermont, Burlington 04505.
Preventive Medicine
|May 1, 1990
Summary
Community breast self-examination (BSE) education significantly improved BSE frequency, quality, and lump detection skills. A maintenance program further enhanced these benefits in the second year, demonstrating long-term effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Preventive Medicine
- Women's Health
Background:
- Breast self-examination (BSE) is a crucial component of early breast cancer detection.
- Effective community-wide educational strategies are needed to improve BSE practice and efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of community-wide breast self-examination (BSE) education on BSE frequency, quality, and lump detection.
- To assess the effectiveness of a 1-year training program followed by a 1-year maintenance program.
Main Methods:
- Four Vermont communities were randomized to receive BSE training plus maintenance, training alone, or control conditions.
- Telephone surveys and home interviews assessed BSE skills and lump detection on models in 637 women at baseline and 1- and 2-year follow-ups.
Main Results:
- The first year showed significant increases in BSE frequency, quality, and lump detection in trained groups compared to controls.
- In the second year, the maintenance program group demonstrated superior improvements in BSE quality and lump detection.
Conclusions:
- Community-wide BSE education effectively enhances BSE practice and detection abilities.
- A sustained maintenance program amplifies the long-term benefits of BSE education for women's health.