Mamamiga - the new practice for the breast self exam: pilot project in inhaúma, MG, Brazil

Abstract

Although it is a simple, cheap and efíicient method for detecting eariy breast câncer and also many campaigns, the
breast self examination (bse) is still very little practiced by women. The Associação de Prevenção do Câncer da Mulher
(Asprecam) has developed a breast made of silicone and rubber foam simulating the severa! alterations found in the
breast - the Mamamiga. It also bhngs basic informaúon in order to make the effective leaming of breast self exam
easier. This woik hadfie objective of evaluating the leaming the motivation to do and teach the BSE using the
Mamamiga, with the dilferent leveis ofsociety of the women in inhaúma, MG, Brazil. we had the help of health agents
of the Family Health Program (fhp), pioperly trained as researchers. The agents taught and researched 846 women
above 20years old (82.4 % ofthe uiban feminine population of inhaúma registered bythe fhp). Before the educational
practice with Mamamiga, only 2.5% ofthe 846 women researched could do the BSE correctlyand completely. After
the educational practice this percentage went up to 62.6%. The research showed Mamamiga to be an effective
instiument for the leaming of BSE, besides it motivates its practice.