Evaluation of a strategy adopted to expand adherence to breast cancer screening in Brazilian Northeast

• Published in: Revista Brasileira de ginecologia e obstetrícia 2012-02, Vol.34 (2), p.86-91
• Main Authors: Barreto, Alana Soares Brandão, Mendes, Marina Ferreira de Medeiros, Thuler, Luiz Claudio Santos
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Brazil; Breast Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; Humans; Mammography - statistics & numerical data; Middle Aged; Patient Compliance - statistics & numerical data
• ISSN: 1806-9339
• DOI: 10.1590/S0100-72032012000200008

To evaluate the actions of the "Um Beijo Pela Vida" Program developed in a Brazilian Northeast city to increase adherence to breast cancer screening by women registered by the Brazilian Family Health Strategy for breast cancer screening. A quantitative approach was used to evaluate the coverage of screening actions for aged 40 years-old or more. Community workers from the nine Family Health Teams of the town carried out an active search. The percentage of eligible women who were screened for breast cancer by clinical breast examination or mammography, mammogram classification according to BI-RADS®, women screened who were referred for further testing and treatment, and the number of breast cancers detected were collected by means of a structured questionnaire, analyzed with the EPI-INFO TM software and compared to previously defined patterns. 3,608 women were included, corresponding to 68.4% of the target population registered in the Brazilian Family Health Strategy. Coverage rates of clinical breast examination for women aged 40 to 49 years-old and of mammograms for women aged 50 to 69 years-old were 58.9 and 56.7%, respectively. All women with highly suspicious mammographic lesions were submitted to fine needle aspiration or core biopsy (100%). Six new cases of cancer were detected and 80% of the standards established for this evaluation were carried out. The evaluation of the actions of the Program suggests its adequacy considering the degree of fulfillment of the previously defined requirements.