Evaluation of the general practice program of women education for breast self-examination

The aim of the study was to evaluate the program of education of women for breast self-examination (BSE) in general practice. A random sample of 5% of women over 18 years of age, living in Dugave (a suburb in Novi Zagreb) were chosen for the study. The study covered 251 women of whom 122 (48.6%) presented for BSE training. Women were taught about BSE by the method which included the theoretical part, group discussion, practical training on silicon breast model, individual practice of BSE, and additional individual assessment of the acquired skill of BSE. Six months after the BSE training, out of 116 women presented for retesting, BSE was performed by 91 (78.4%) women: 75 (82.4%) performed BSE regularly once a month or in two months, while 60 (65.9%) women dedicated sufficient time to BSE. Assessment of BSE performance in our subjects showed palpation with the longer parts of fingers and palpation of the whole breast to be skills best mastered by the women. Palpation of the nipple area and palpation of the armpit were sections of BSE in which the women also achieved good results. It is surprising that breast inspection, easy as the procedure may seem, is the section of BSE in which the women did not achieve expected results. On the post-course assessment, as many as 15 (12.9%) women left out breast inspection, while 10 (8.6%) women performed breast inspection in a completely wrong way. Keeping self-records on BSE was by far the most poorly assessed part. Incomplete keeping of self-records on BSE findings is an important objection to BSE as a procedure which should contribute to the systematic continuous drive for early detection of breast cancer. The most important conditions for the education of women for BSE are the knowledge, ability and willingness of the GP and members of his team to provide health education to the population under their care. BSE is not the ultimate solution, but is a significant step in the continuous struggle against breast cancer. That is why it is essential that all women be informed about BSE and as many women as possible be covered by systematic education for BSE. Authors' results indicate that it is possible to implement the proposed model of continuous education of women for BSE within the scope of work of the GP's team.