Preliminary results of breast cancer screening based on physical breast examination by community health agent (ACS) – Projeto ITABERAÍ

Abstract

Objective: The ITABERAÍ Project is a study that deals with intervention through the training of community health agents (ACS) based on evidence of tracking in physical examination of the breast. The objective of this study was to present preliminary results of breast cancer screening carried out by community health agents (ACS) in women aged 40 years or older, according to the ITABERAÍ Project. Methodology: This is a phase III multicenter randomized clinical trial, whose observation unit was data from women aged 40 years or older, without a diagnosis of breast cancer, who consented to participate in the study and were registered by the ACS in the Pink Application. For randomization, the Family Health Team (ESF) of each ACS was considered, and these were randomly allocated into control group (CG) and intervention group (IG). The physical examination of the breast performed by the ACS was considered an intervention. Results: Until now, 1,261 women have participated in the study, of whom 1,259 (64.2%) were from the CG and 702 (35.8%) were from the IG. The mean age was 56.8 years, in the CG, it was 56.7±11.22 years, and in the GI, it was 57.1±11.18 years (p=0.47). Of the total number of women, 85.5% reported not having health insurance, 78.5% seek medical assistance annually, 73% do not perform physical activity, 88.4% declared not to be a smoker, 92.7% did not use alcohol, 65% had a high IMC, and 75.7% reported having had a mammogram at some point in their lives. There was no significant difference in these variables between groups. A total of 174 (24.8%) altered cases were identified in the physical examinations performed by the ACS, and of these, 2 (1.1%) cases with diagnostic confirmation of breast cancer after biopsy. Conclusion: Preliminary results show that trained community health agents can support breast cancer screening and generate information that can support decision-making and optimize public spending on health.