Bridging Knowledge Gaps in Self Breast Examination - a Simulation Based Learning Approach with Pre-Post Evaluation

Abstract

Priyanka Machave, Gayatri Godbole and Shilpa Patankar

Background: Breast cancer being the most common cancer in females needs early detection and management. Early detection of breast cancer is possible with screening modalities like Mammography (MMR), Clinical breast examination (CBE), and Self Breast Examination (SBE). SBEs are often the only method for early detection of breast cancer thereby making regular and periodic self breast examination more crucial. Objective: to evaluate simulation based self breast examination training program in non medical staff of an educational complex.

Method: This was a cross sectional study which included 90 participants. Breast simulators and full body manikin used. Teaching session included lecture demonstration and hands on practice followed by assessment. Results: Only 33.3% females were aware of self breast examination and only 22.2% had performed it before. It was observed that there were statistically significant increase in knowledge score in post test after intervention as compared to pretest knowledge(p < 0.001) At the end of the session, proper inspection, palpation, lump identification, axillary region palpation and differentiation between soft and hard lumps was done by 95.6%, 91.1, 92.2, 88.9 and 71.1 respectively.

Discussion: Very few women are well versed with self breast examination and one of the most effective ways of making women good at self breast examination is by teaching them on breast simulators.

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