A PROCESS EVALUATION STUDY, REGARDING MANAGEMENT OF BREAST LUMP IN HEALTH FACILITIES OF JHARKHAND

Dr. Pushpa*, Dr. Nisha Murmu Dr. Zenith Harsh Kerketta, Dr. Dewesh Kumar, Dr. Vidyasagar, Dr. Vivek Kashyap

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Breast cancer is a global health concern and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among all the cancers that affect women. Aims and objectives: The aim of the study was to understand the process in the management of breast cancer in the study health facilities and to know the difficulties faced by patients in the management of breast cancer. Methods: A qualitative research was conducted using In Depth interviews technique to fulfill the aims and objectives of the study in two health facilities of Ranchi district on all females diagnosed as breast cancer from 11.6.18 to 17.6.18. A semi structured questionnaire was administered to collect the data based on our objectives which was further analyzed. Template was generated on MS Excel and was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Out of the two facilities, one was a tertiary care teaching hospital in government set up and other was a corporate hospital catering only to cancer patients. Patients suffering from breast cancer had little knowledge about SBE(Self Breast Examination) and also there was hesitation regarding seeking care regarding the current problem. Once they reach out for seeking medical care, there was no significant delay in beginning of treatment. So, the time lag in seeking care was much more than the time between diagnosis and management of the breast lump. Conclusion: Through massive campaign, SBE/CBE(Clinical Breast Examination) must be advocated and timely referral from peripheral centres to higher centre should be stressed upon.

Keywords: Cancer, Breast, Self Breast Examination, Ranchi.