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

Breast cancer, the most prevalent cancer among females, leads to the highest mortality. However, these deaths can be prevented and treated through early detection and subsequent treatment. Inadequate knowledge of breast cancer sign, symptoms and risk factors is the primary impediment that the community faces in pursuing screening.  The primary objective of this study was to assess the improvement in knowledge and practices of breast cancer (BC) after educational intervention. A secondary objective was to find the proportions of participants having abnormal findings during screening camps.

An outcome evaluation of a Health Educational Intervention was conducted in field practice area under Department of Community and Family Medicine of AIIMS, Rishikesh. Thirteen Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) were identified and trained in breast cancer awareness, BSE, and screening methods. These ASHAs created awareness among women in their respective areas and administered a structured questionnaire on knowledge and practice before and after educational intervention. CBE, along with Ibreast examination, was done in screening camps. Identified high-risk cases were referred to the Integrated Women Cancer Centre of AIIMS, Rishikesh, for follow-ups.

A total of 1095 females were interviewed and received the intervention. After three months follow-up, knowledge of BC increased from 5% to 95 %.  90 % could correctly recollect the steps of Breast Self-Examination and did it at least once during follow-up. Among the 514 participants who attended screening camp, 42 had positive findings in Ibreast/CBE examination, of which 17 (45.95%) showed BI-RADS 1, 12(32.43%) BI-RADS 2 and 4(10.8%) BI-RADS 3.

Notable improvement in knowledge and practices regarding BC prevention was observed following health education intervention. Involving community health workers can be an effective in creating breast cancer awareness, motivating women to undergo screening, and facilitating their access to screening facilities.