Enhancing Breast Cancer Awareness and Uptake through Educational Interventions, Uttarakhand, India

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Oncology
• Health Education

Background:

• Breast cancer is a leading cause of mortality in women, with early detection crucial for prevention and treatment.
• Inadequate community knowledge of breast cancer signs, symptoms, and risk factors hinders screening uptake.
• This study addresses the knowledge and practice gaps in breast cancer prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a health educational intervention on breast cancer knowledge and practices.
• To determine the proportion of women with abnormal findings during screening camps.

Main Methods:

• An outcome evaluation of a health educational intervention involving 13 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs).
• ASHAs delivered breast cancer awareness education and administered pre- and post-intervention questionnaires.
• Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) and Ibreast examination were conducted during screening camps, with high-risk cases referred for follow-up.

Main Results:

• Knowledge of breast cancer increased from 5% to 95% post-intervention.
• 90% of participants could recall Breast Self-Examination steps and performed it regularly.
• Out of 514 women screened, 42 had positive findings, including BI-RADS 1, 2, and 3 classifications.

Conclusions:

• Health education interventions significantly enhance breast cancer knowledge and practices.
• Community health workers are effective in raising breast cancer awareness and promoting screening.
• The intervention facilitated access to screening facilities and encouraged early detection.