WARD Struggles against Breast Cancer

Being one of the biggest global problems, breast cancer is widely spread in Azerbaijan too. According to the official statistics, the number of women with breast cancer in Azerbaijan is raising to 15% every year. The Women’s Association for Rational Development (WARD) implements the project “Women against Breast Cancer” which supposes the Breast Cancer Awareness in 15 poorest villages in the outskirt of Baku. (04-APR-07)

Written by Shahla Ismailova/HRH Baku on the basis of materials from WARD; photos by Shahla Ismailova

According to the State Statistics Committee, there is observed the annual rise of the illness to 10-15% every year. Thus, if in 2000 there were officially recorded 5081 cases of cancer, in 2006 this figure exceeded 9030 cases. Taking into account the official statistics received from Central Oncological Clinic of Azerbaijan, breast cancer is a “leader” type in females’ cases – about 40%. The rest is shared with cervical and uterine cancer (25%), ovarian cancer (15%) and the rest common types (10%).

Project
Funded by Swiss Cooperation Office for South Caucasus, the project targets the women from 20 to 70 years old, living in Ahmedli, Balakhani, Buzovna, Gobu, Guzdak, Hokumaly, Khirdalan, Masazir, Mehdiabad, Novkhani, Ramani, Saray, Shuvalan, Vishnevka, Zagulba. Within the project framework, there were paid visits to the oncological and gynecological departments of local clinics.

Over 3,000 women were reached due to this project within the framework of Door-to-Door Campaign realized in February-March 2007. The main content of the awareness-raising campaign was the oinformation about the breast cancer, dangerous symptoms and, most importantly – the instructions about Breast-Self Exam (BSE) once a month. The WARD’s trainers team also had 3 medical doctors who could examine some sick women upon their request.

Output
In addition to the project’s direct short-term and long-term goals, it is intended to prepare and publish the “Sharing Experience” Publication in English and Azerbaijan language to share with other women and healthcare organizations/actors with the project details. The publication also contains recommendations and conclusions for further actions.

For more information, see WARD’s website www.ward.az