Efficacy of linking Breast Awareness Clinics in Gynecology and Obstetrics departments: A pilot project in Zubaida Bani Wing, Fazle-Omar Hospital, Chenab Nagar, Pakistan

Objectives: Pakistani female population has the highest incidence of Breast cancer among the women belonging to all other Asian countries. This contributed to 28.7% of all new cases of malignancies in 2020 and is also the cause of uppermost cancer mortality in Pakistani females. The number of deaths can be reduced by promoting breast cancer screening, according to recommended programs for high-risk populations.

Methods: In order to encourage breast self-examination in women, 12 Breast Cancer Awareness Clinics were set up in Gynecology and Obstetrics outdoor, Zubaida Bani Wing, Fazle Omar Hospital, Chenab Nagar, Pakistan, from September 2019 to February 2020. A total of 238 women with a mean of 29.97±8.9 years were examined and trained to perform the breast self-examination.

Results: Around 41% of 222 valid responded women reported that they had knowledge that breast cancer is the major threat to their health in Pakistan. Only 20% were aware of breast cancer screening but poor cognizance about the recommendations for Pakistani women. Knowledge about Breast Self-Examination was recorded in 15%, whereas only 5.4% of all the women included in the present study reported to practice it. Moreover, eighty-six percent of the respondents were reported to be hesitant to visit the male doctor. Three cases of most suspected malignancies were referred to specialist consultants and few cases were endorsed for immediate mammograms.

Conclusion: Setting up breast awareness and screening clinics at gynecology outdoors with trained female assistants can be effective in promoting Breast Self-Examination and elaborating screening programs countywide to obtain long term benefits in a high-risk population of Pakistan.