Cancer is currently ranked first on the list of diseases developed each year in Vietnam and the incidence of breast cancer is increasing. This has serious consequences for public/community healthcare, particularly for women. This project aims to reduce the mortality and morbidity of breast cancer among women aged 30 to 70 years old in Vietnam. To accomplish this goal, the project will provide necessary information to raise awareness on breast cancer. This project will also increase knowledge and capacity among VWU staff at all levels by equipping them with the skills necessary for adequate breast self-examination and for the early detection of breast cancer. This will ensure that women receive appropriate treatment, and that a referral system and the duplication of project activities will be integrated into the health care programs of the VWU.
With a budget estimated at $90,000 USD, the project will be implemented over three years in five Northern provinces with high rates of breast cancer: Hanoi, Ha Nam, Thai Nguyen, Hung Yen, and Hai Phong. Across the project areas, there will be 13,500 women aged 30-70 years old who will learn and be guided to perform breast self-examination correctly. Additionally, 100% of women who find abnormal lumps/masses in their breasts will be referred to a hospital for appropriate treatment and followed up by staff. one hundred VWU staff at the district level in the five selected provinces were provided with breast cancer information and received training on early detection skills.
The following activities will also be implemented over the three-year period of the project:
·Monthly training and discussions held in the community on breast cancer and breast self-examination;
·Training and discussions on breast cancer and awareness with officials of the Central Women's Union and with officials from the 58 provinces; and
·Providing breast cancer information on breast self-examination to raise awareness within the national health care programs of the Vietnam Women's Union.
The Vietnam Women’s Union will be responsible for monitoring and evaluating, and reporting the results of project activities.
At the meeting with representatives from PHJ and donors from Yokogawa on January 14, 2013, Mme. Tran Thanh Binh, Vice President of the Vietnam Women's Union, expressed her high appreciation for the Project and expressed her agreement on its significance. She articulated that cooperation between the VWU and PHJ, along with support from the Government of Vietnam, will contribute to the implementation of the national strategy on health care, which focuses on the prevention of disease and on the promotion of self-care.
Also present at the meeting, Mr. Masahiko Hasumi, Director(General Manager) of PHJ, stated that the goal of PHJ, which has its headquarters in Japan, is to promote and provide community based health care activities focused on women and children. At present, PHJ is active in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Mr. Masahiko Hasumi expressed his desire that through cooperation with the Vietnam Women's Union, women will be able to detect breast cancer early to prevent the disease from worsening, and that patients with breast cancer will receive monitored treatment. Experts from the organizations will guide VWU staff, providing them with knowledge and an understanding of breast cancer, accurate self-examination for the early detection of breast cancer, and appropriate treatments. Trained VWU staff will then become instructors for women in the community. Mr. Hasumi expressed his hope to continue cooperation with the VWU to replicate the model of the project in other provinces.
Immediately following the meeting in Hanoi on January 15, 2013, the project was officially launched. Training started for key VWU staff from the five target provinces and cities.
