Implementation and evaluation of a breast cancer pharmaceutical advisory programme

Background: Screening is a vital process when combating cancer because it allows the early detection of the disease in individuals who have not developed symptoms yet. Aims: The aim of the present study was to show that the implementation by community pharmacists of a breast cancer screening programme coupled with risk assessment increases women's confidence in screening practices. Methods: A prospective quasi-experimental trial was conducted in five Spanish community pharmacies, at Valencia's Cardenal Herrera University and through the website www.elcancerdemama.es between June 2009 and March 2011. The participants that took part in the study were: clients of five community pharmacies interested in the programme, pharmacy and veterinary students at Cardenal Herrera University and visitors of the website. They completed questionnaires designed to collect data about risk factors for breast cancer and the implementation of measures for its early detection. In addition, pharmacists provided women with personalized information about breast cancer and how to perform breast self-examination (BSE) at the community pharmacies and at the university. A follow-up was carried out 40 days later to check the participants’ adherence to the programme. We evaluated pharmacists’ interventions in relation to breast cancer screening. Results: A total of 1,452 women were included in the study. A direct family history of breast cancer, early menarche, late menopause, obesity and overweight, null parity and hormone replacement therapy were found to be risk factors for breast cancer (p<0.05). Women's confidence in performing a correct BSE improved from 16% to 82% (p<0.05). 12% of the women were considered to have a high risk of developing breast cancer (p<0.005). 6% of the women detected abnormalities while making a BSE. Conclusions: The pharmacists' awareness-raising campaign resulted in an improvement of self-directed behaviours across all age groups, particularly in terms of BSE