Evaluating a Comprehensive and Cost-Effective Accelerated Breast Health Curriculum in Guyana for Healthcare Providers

Abstract

The incidence and mortality rate of breast cancer continues to rise in Guyana. One key factor contributing to this issue is that Guyana does not have a national breast cancer screening program nor the resources or infrastructure to support one. As a result, it is important to consider cost-effective solutions that can promote the early detection of breast cancer. The literature suggests a promising intervention could address gaps in frontline healthcare providers' knowledge and understanding of breast health. Providers who receive dedicated curricular training in breast health in conjunction with learning the clinical breast exam (CBE) and ultrasound tend to show an increase in their early detection rates. With this in mind, we sought to evaluate an existing breast health curriculum in Georgetown, Guyana, by measuring provider fund of knowledge before and after the intervention. Over 1 week, sixty-two participants, mostly nursing students, were divided into two groups. Each group participated in the two-and-a-half-day course. Participants were given a pretest assessment and then went through an intensive 8-module course complete with CBE training and ultrasound demonstration before taking a posttest. We found that while only one of the sixty-two participants passed the initial pretest assessment, forty of the sixty-two participants passed the posttest. Statistical analysis showed that the difference in test scores between the pretest and the posttest was statistically significant. While more studies are needed, these findings suggest that focusing on the breast health knowledge of providers in Guyana and other similar countries may be a highly effective yet cost-friendly intervention that could significantly improve early detection rates and ease the breast cancer disease burden.