in Albania - Instituti i Shendetit Publik

ALBANIAN MEDICAL JOURNAL SUPPLEMENTA new model of screening for breast cancer inAlbaniaAlban Ylli 1,2 , Kozeta Filipi 1 , Jeta Lakrori 1 , Eduard Kakarriqi 1,21Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania;2Faculty of Public Health, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania.In Albania, an organized breast screening programdoes not yet exist. More than half of cancers arediagnosed in III/IV stage. Nevertheless, the level ofawareness among women about breast screeningand cervical screening is increasing during lastdecade; 80% of women had heard about mammogram.A team at Institute of Public Health (IPH) after twoyears analyses and assessments has proposed ascreening model based on Clinical Breast Examination(CBE) provided by PHC providers withreferral to the secondary care level for mammographywhen CBE abnormalities are detected. PHCproviders should also teach women to do BSE withall BSE abnormalities checked by CBE beforereferral to Mammography service. Abnormalitiesshould be followed-up by biopsy at the secondarycare level with referral to tertiary care when canceris suspected/ diagnosed. During 2012 IPH incollaboration with University Hospital Center (UHC)developed curricula and materials for in-countrytraining of general primary health care (PHC)practitioners on CBE, risk evaluation and referral formammogram and specialist. More than 180 doctorsare already trained, covering almost half of Albanianhealth centers with at least one trained practitioner.A complete practical guideline for GPs is plannedto be approved soon by Minister of Health.Trainings will continue through 2013 to completetrainings for GPs and start trainings for nurses.In addition to the continuation of these activities,during the next 2-3 years more efforts should bedirected to setting up an organized and sustainablemodel for comprehensive breast cancer control inAlbania, focusing first on three major regions ofcentral Albania (Tirana, Durres and Elbasan).Activities should be directed at establishment of aquality assurance system for breast imaging andimproving the responsiveness of the health systemin breast cancer care.Keywords: breast cancer, early detection, screening38 ALBANIAN MEDICAL JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT