Breast Cancer Campaign – IFMSA-Kurdistan

Name of the activity: Breast Cancer Campaign

Country/NMO: IFMSA-Kurdistan (Iraq)

Program: Healthy Lifestyles & Non-Communicable Diseases

Contact information: contact [email protected] to get in touch with the Activity Coordinator

Type of the activity: Replicating Activity

Category: Campaign

Focus area: Cancer

Sustainable Development Goals addressed: SDG 3 (Good health and well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

General description:

Breast cancer campaign was held during October intended to raise awareness about breast cancer mostly in women and to promote screening  for early detection among health care institutions. Moreover, new treatments and services were discussed in a form of panels and workshops delivered by healthcare professionals to the public and medical students . Fundraisers was done for cancer patients to financially aid them in their treatment. This campaign was done nationally in 5 cities of Kurdistan. 

Problem statement:

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the leading cause of death in women in Iraq. According to the statistical findings by Iraq Cancer Board, 2000 (52.00/100,000) to the year 2019 (91.66/100,000), hence, the recorded cases increased throughout years. Lack of awareness about breast cancer and financial instability led to lack of interest in seeking the healthcare/services available for breast cancer, therefore, leading to high mortality rate and high incident rate within women.

Target groups:

• General population
• Medical students
• Other Students
• Doctors
• Women
• Cancer patients

Beneficiaries:

• General population
• Medical students
• Other Students
• Women
• Cancer patients

Objectives:

• To educate atleast 40 IFMSA-Kurdistan members about breast cancer ( signs and symptoms, risk factors, treatment, and examination) through at-least one workshop each city from 10th of October till 27th of October 2022.
• To raise awareness and promote screening of the general public (Women) in Kurdistan about breast cancer and the available services by setting at-least 5 booths and giving coupons in several places accompanied by social media campaign throughout 10th of October till 30th of October 2022 in Kurdistan.
• To conduct a panel discussion in University for the doctors and medical students about the new treatments for breast cancer on the 27th of October 2022.
• To collect donation for the cancer patients at Hiwa hospital in Kurdish to financial aid for providing treatment through 10th of October to 27th of October.
• To remind the general public about the importance of early detection by sending SMS through a telecom service on 31st of October.

Indicators of Success:

• Conduct atleast  2 workshops by healthcare professionals to medical students through 10th of October till 27th of October.
• At least 40 members will participate in the workshops.
• At least 5 booths about breast cancer  is set in each 4 cities in Kurdistan from 10th of October to 30th of October among the public places.
• At least 2 informative videos and articles are posted on IFMSA-Kurdistan’s page for the social media campaign through 10th of October to 30th of October. 
• Conduct atleast 2 panel discussion in at-least one university through 27th of October to 30th of October.
• At least 6 media coverage and TV interviews through 27 – 30 th of October.
• Donation collection  to Hiwa hospital for treatment through 10th of October to 27th October.
• Bulk message sent to at least 50,000 people through a telecom service on the 31st of October.

Methodology:

• workshop to be conducted by the doctor to the medical students which will be repeated 2 times in two different cities for atleast 40 students from 20- 27 October. 
• 5 booths with brochures covering breast cancer awareness are set by our members in atleast 5 public spaces (school, gym, bazaar,offices, cafes) monitored by the assistants throughout 10th of October to 20th of October.A series of video will be provided in IFMSA-Kurdistan pages on self examination by interviewing breast cancer specialists through 10-20 of October.Moreover, the videos will be put as QR on the brochures used in the booths.
• two Panel discussion to be arranged about breast cancer  through open invitation all the doctors and medical students in university/institute through 10-27 of October.
• Contacting Hiwa hospital for donation boxes and setting it on the booths available from 10-27 of October.
• Contacting Asiacell telecom for sending SMS bulk on 30th of October as a reminder to screen for breast cancer.

Plans for evaluation:

• pre and post evaluation for each workshop.
• Feedback on Google from the members for the workshop.
• informal oral feedback from the general public on each booth / panel and students after their workshop.
• written feedback on paper from the general public on each booth.
• level of engagement in the posted videos on IFMSA-Kurdistan’s pages about breast cancer.
• Usage of coupons by visiting doctors for consultation 

External collaborations:

Karsazy Kar foundation arranging one the panels in Halabja city and participation of a booth in the annual pomegranate festival in halabja city.