Integrating Breast Cancer Early Detection Services Into the Rwandan Health Care System

Abstract

Background and context: Promoting earlier detection of breast cancer is critical in low-income countries like Rwanda where symptomatic women face long diagnostic delays and most patients present with advanced disease. In these settings, promoting earlier clinical diagnosis should be the initial priority before screening of asymptomatic women. However, there are few data to guide such early detection policies. Aim: Develop a pilot breast cancer early detection program in a rural Rwandan district to evaluate its clinical and health system impact, identify the most effective and feasible roles for staff from each health care system level, and inform national policy. Strategy/Tactics: From 2015-2017 we implemented a training program for 12 randomly selected health centers (HCs) in Burera District, where Butaro Cancer Center of Excellence is located. We trained 1076 community health workers in breast awareness and 127 HC nurses in clinical breast exam (CBE) and management of breast concerns. We trained 9 hospital-level nurses and doctors in diagnostic breast ultrasound to facilitate evaluation of palpable masses. We used pre- and posttests, focus groups, patient surveys, HC registries, and hospital medical records to determine the impact of the training on trainees' knowledge and skills, the volume of patients presenting to health facilities and services provided, cancer detection rate, and clinical stage at diagnosis. Program/Policy process: We met regularly with cancer policy leaders in the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) to share findings, identify successes and challenges and build support. Clinicians trained through the project have been invited to serve as national trainers in CBE and contribute to national cancer strategy discussions. Outcomes: Trainings significantly improved knowledge and skills among trainees and increased the number of patients with breast concerns at HCs and the hospital. There was an increase in the proportion of patients with benign disease and the number of needed ultrasounds and biopsies. HCs and the hospital were able to accommodate the increased volume without compromising other services. We had limited power to assess the impact on cancer stage, but noted a nonsignificant increase in incidence of early stage disease among patients referred by intervention HCs. We are now working with MOH/RBC in planning scale-up of the program to other districts and identify a strategy of diagnostic breast ultrasound at the DH level to facilitate evaluation of patients referred from HCs. What was learned: A strategy to promote earlier detection of symptomatic breast cancer was feasible in a rural Rwandan district, effectively strengthened health system capacity to care for patients with breast concerns, and suggests promising impact on patient outcomes. Engagement of key stakeholders in implementation science can help foster evidence-based national cancer control policy.