Reducing Breast Cancer Mortality and Morbidity Rate

Breast cancer incidences and mortality rates are rising in India, with breast cancer being top-ranking cancer in Tirunelveli, constituting 20.4% of cancers in women, followed by that of the cervix (12.3%). However, there is evidence available for the downstaging of breast cancer through improved awareness among women and health workers. In a study, it has been found that breast cancers of stage III and IV can be reduced from 60% (1994) to 35% (1998) by sensitising the community about breast cancer.

This project aims to increase awareness about the importance of 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 in the selected blocks of Tirunelveli district. Suspected patients 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 a clinical breast examination of the women in the area. Trained health workers will go to the community and educate the people, conduct clinical breast examination and teach the women an easy self-breast examination technique. The patients who test positive will be referred to the medical officer for further evaluation and confirmation.

The medical officer will examine the referred patients and will request further investigations for confirmation. The data entry operator will collate and document the patient’s records generate reports for easy monitoring of progress.

More than 70% of the cancer cases are diagnosed in the late stages, thus limiting the chances of a cure. The higher mortality rate of breast cancers leads to huge losses to the family and society, both in terms of economy and social burden. The cost of treatment and its related expenses ranges from three to four lakh rupees.

However, even after people spending a lot of money, long term survival is not achieved due to the late stages of the disease. Screening through cost-effective methods will ensure anxiety-free life for the women at risk, and enable early diagnosis and increases the chances of survival.