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Evaluating a training package for health professionals and community workers to spread breast cancer awareness messages

Atkins, L., Forbes, L., Scanlon, K., Jupp, D., Carroll, L., Ramirez, A.-J. (2011) Evaluating a training package for health professionals and community workers to spread breast cancer awareness messages. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care, 1 . ISSN 2045-435X. (doi:10.1136/bmjspcare-2011-000020.18) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:78009)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2011-000020.18

Abstract

Introduction and aims: Delayed presentation in breast cancer leads to more advanced stage at diagnosis and ultimately poorer survival. Delays in presentation are associated with low breast cancer awareness. Breast Cancer Care delivers the Train the Trainer: Breast Health Promotion programme to train people across England to deliver messages to increase breast cancer awareness: knowing how breasts normally look and feel and what breast changes to look for; encouraging regularly looking and feeling for breast changes; early symptomatic presentation and breast screening uptake. We measured trainees' knowledge and confidence to deliver these messages in a before and after observational design.

Methods: We recruited 126 trainees attending nine courses over 6 months. Trainees included volunteers, community workers and health professionals. They completed the Cancer Research UK Breast Cancer Awareness Measure at baseline and 1 and 6 months after attending. We also collected information about recipients of the breast cancer awareness messages during the 6 months after training.

Results: At baseline, 46% trainees identified five or more non-lump symptoms of breast cancer; 21% identified a 70-year-old woman as at higher risk of breast cancer than a 30 or 50 year old. 50% reported looking and feeling their breasts at least monthly. These proportions are higher than the general population (18%, 14% and 23% respectively).1 Follow-up will finish in March 2011.

Conclusion: Breast cancer awareness at baseline was higher than in the general population. We will present 1-month follow-up data at the meeting. The findings will provide the rationale for future investment and improvements in the programme.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2011-000020.18
Additional information: Unmapped bibliographic data: LP - A7 [Field not mapped to EPrints] JO - BMJ Support Palliat Care [Field not mapped to EPrints]
Subjects: R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Depositing User: Lindsay Forbes
Date Deposited: 28 Oct 2019 21:24 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:26 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/78009 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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