This project aims to increase the awareness about the screening and early detection of breast cancer by imparting knowledge and skills to conduct clinical breast examination to healthy women between ages 30 to 69 years with intact breasts in the selected blocks of Tirunelveli district. Women will be identified through household surveys, and the purpose of the visit will be explained to them. After obtaining written informed consent from all participants, the trained female health workers
Breast cancer incidence and mortality rates are rising in India and Breast cancer was the top-ranking cancer in Tirunelveli, constituting 20.4% of the women cancers followed by cervix (12.3%).Evidence is available for down staging of breast cancer through improved awareness among the women and health workers. In a study by Devi et al., it is found that breast cancer in stage III and IV reduced from 60% (1994) to 35% (1998) by sensitizing the community about breast cancer
This project aims to increase the awareness about the screening and early detection of breast cancer by imparting knowledge and skills to conduct clinical breast examination to healthy women between ages 30 to 69 years with intact breasts in the selected blocks of Tirunelveli district. Women will be identified through household surveys, and the purpose of the visit will be explained to them. The trained female health workers will impart knowledge and awareness and conduct Clinical Breast Exam.
More than 70% of the cancer cases are diagnosed in the late stages limiting its ability to cure. The higher mortality to breast cancers leads to a huge loss to the family and society both in terms of economy and social burden. The cost of treatment and its related expenses is ranging from three to four lac rupees. Screening through cost effective methods will ensure anxiety free life for the women at risk and enable early diagnosis and increases survival rate.
