ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION Breast cancer is a kind of cancer that develops from breast cells. The vast majority of breast cancer cases occur in females. Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer in females world wide. It accounts for 16% of all female cancers and 22.9% of invasive cancers in women.18.2% of all cancer deaths worldwide, including both males and females, are from breast cancer. However evidences consistently suggest that Breast cancer if detected at an early stage have a very good prognosis. The key to successful treatment, however, lies in early detection ,and for that, every woman needs to follow the recommended breast screening guidelines, which include breast self examination. A woman’s breasts are constantly changing. They change throughout the menstrual cycle ,when breastfeeding, during pregnancy and in menopause. Most breast changes are not cause for concern that might indicate a problem. Screening for breast cancer includes mammography ,clinical breast examination by a physician (CBE) and breast self examination. Although mammography has been established as an effective technique for early detection of breast pathologies, mammographic screening of an outsized population cannot be supported as a priority in India owing to its high cost.BSE on the other hand is simple, self generated, repeatable at monthly intervals and cost free. This technique will enable a woman to familiarise herself with the structure of her own breasts so that she may readily recognize any deviation in the way they look or feel. It is therefore important for us to first gauge the level of knowledge regarding breast cancer among the women in our study samples and more importantly, to empower them with the correct information and demonstrate the correct method of performing BSE. With the intention of creating an awareness regarding breast cancer and early detection practices (BSE) this study was designed. AIM • To assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on self breast examination among families of defence personnel OBJECTIVES • To assess the knowledge regarding self breast examination before administering the structured teaching programme among families of defence personnel. • To assess the knowledge regarding self breast examination after structured teaching programme among families of defence personnel. • To determine the association between knowledge and selected socio-demographic variables. METHODS This is a quasi experimental study done in 40 samples who were families of defence personnel age group between 25-50 years. It is an experimental study, the tool used was structured questionnaire for pre test as well as post test ,and the intervention was a structured teaching programme which was assisted by a video, recommended by Tata Memorial Hospital, Cancer unit. The study basically aimed to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme. RESULT Our study revealed that the STP administered to the samples significantly increased the knowledge regarding the Breast cancer and the knowledge regarding the practice of breast self examination. In the pre test 47.5% of the samples scored poor whereas in the post test none was poor,52.5% answered satisfactorily in pre test against 27.5% in post test & none scored good in the pre test whereas in the post test 72.5% of the samples scored good after the STP. ANALYSIS & INTERPRETATION After completion of the questionnaire by the samples, the questionnaire was evaluated. The demographic data was tabulated. The Knowledge, and the knowledge on practice questionnaire was scored according to the scoring procedure. Correct answers were scored 1 and wrong technique 0.The knowledge ,knowledge on practice scores were tabulated for analysis. The data collected was then analysed by appropriate statistical methods. Frequency table was prepared in accordance with various characteristics under study and percentage analysis was done. Analysis of variance was used to associate knowledge ,practices with demographic variables such as age, sex, education, socioeconomic status and people who already were aware of Self breast examination. DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION The conclusion of the study were significant. The study shows that the structured teaching programme was very effective in improving the knowledge regarding self Breast Examination. The increase in knowledge in all samples was quite significant irrespective of their educational status and where as, those who were less educated gained more knowledge. KEY WORDS Breast Cancer Self Breast Examination RECOMMENDATIONS • It is recommended that the study can be done in all women in the age group of 20-60 years. • It is recommended that the study should be expanded outside the service OPD including the community people. • The husbands of the women also can be involved in the study to create awareness about breast cancer and its early detection, and their involvement in the education bring the more positive results. • It is recommended that men also can be included in the study along with women as breast cancer is common in both the genders. • It is observed that the awareness of breast cancer and breast self examination is low amongst women, therefore it is recommended that public education on breast cancer and breast self examination should be conducted on a regular basis in the health centres . • It is recommended that the study can be conducted among the health personnel so that in service educations can be conducted accordingly. • It is recommended that the study should be conducted to assess the practice of breast self examination among the women. • It is recommended that clinical breast examination should be carried out at health centers by health professionals on a regular basis. • A similar study can be conducted in large sample, thereby findings can be generalized for a large population. • A study can be conducted to access the psycho social impact associated with breast cancer and practicing breast self examination for the early detection of breast cancer.

TITLE - AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STRUCTURED TEACHING PROGRAMME ON SELF BREAST EXAMINATION AMONG THE FAMILIES OF DEFENCE PERSONNEL IN PUNE CANTONMENT-INDIA
AUTHOR - LT COL SUBHA S , LT COL IRENE FRANCIS, MAJ ASHA KIRAN V, CAPT J MERLIN IMMACULATE ,CAPT SREELAKSHMI MOHAN
••••••IJSER Edition - September 2015

UNIVERSITY - College Of Nursing, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, India
GUIDE NAME -
LT COL E M VARGHESE