Trained Women for Breast Cancer Prevention
Project Location:
Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl, Metepec, Ecatepec, State of Mexico
Project Leader:
Ma. Teresa del Carmen Velázquez Dávila
Partner Organizations:
Association for Family Well-Being and Health (ASBIS), Monte Providencia, Vamos a Dar
Target Audience:
Health promoters in the municipalities of Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl, Ecatepec and Metepec; Monte Providencia staff and women from the three communities.
Project Description:
The municipalities of Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl, Ecatepec and Metepec are the most populated in the State of Mexico, and have the highest breast cancer mortality rates. This community project collaborated with the DIF (Integral Family Development Department) to recruit and train 50 health promoters during a seven-workshop series to be breast health promoters, who in turn are replicating the workshops in their communities. In addition, 62 health professionals were trained at DIF in Metepec on early detection, CBE, mammography exams and ultrasounds. Over 2,000 people were reached by BSA awareness raising activities, and the project even branched out to the state of Queretaro to reach an additional 750. The private company Monte Providencia donated 300 mammography screenings through a jewelry auction, and the Municipality of Metepec organized a Pink Race to publicize the program and generate resources to support low-income women with screening. The lead organization ASBIS is giving monthly follow up support to the promoters and has increased its capacity so that it now offers medical attention to women in these areas and is able to channel women to health services. ASBIS intends to offer this program permanently and has signed an agreement with the Municipality of Metepec to train an additional 200 health promoters in 2011.
To Take Care of Other Women,
First I have to Take Care of Myself
Project Location:
Iztapalapa, Mexico City
Project Leader:
Esther Casanova
Partner Organizations:
Women’s Interdisciplinary Health Care Center (CIMAS), Center for Mental Health and Gender – CENAPSIG
Target Audience:
Women 25 and older in the low income delegation of Iztapalapa, Mexico City.
Project Description:
Iztapalapa has one of the highest per capita densities in the country, and 21% of Mexico City’s population is concentrated in this delegation. This program sought to raise breast health awareness, and link it to the empowerment of stay-at-home women, confronting many of the strong cultural and gender issues which exist, as well as myths and misinformation which can adversely affect women from seeking routine breast cancer screening. Over a period of six months, 10 women attended group sessions to become community BSA facilitators and were trained on the topics of breast cancer, gender, self-esteem and domestic violence, and methodologies for conducting a workshop. They were equipped with the tools to create neighborhood women’s circles of support and in turn were able to reach over 300 people in Iztapalapa, Atenco and Nezahaulcoyotl in the State of Mexico. A total of 320 women received clinical breast exams, 74 had ultrasounds and 100 were scheduled for mammography screenings. The U.S. Embassy provided funding for the lead organization to conduct a Great Circle of Women for Breast Health in Mexico City, where 900 women learned about the importance of BSA through the use of zumba and “laughing” yoga. This project creatively promoted local leadership and the empowerment of women to emphasize the importance of advocating for and taking responsibility for their health.
Training Program for Emotional Support Group Facilitators
Project Location:
Mexico City and Guadalajara
Project Leader:
María de Lourdes Ruedas Hernández
Partner Organizations:
Mexican Association Against Cancer (AMLCC); Arlisa Lifshitz – Psychologist
Target Audience:
Current support group leaders and Course for the Cure graduates working with breast cancer survivors.
Project Description:
In an attempt to answer to the lack of sufficient support services for breast cancer survivors, this project trained 18 support group facilitators in Mexico City and 23 in Guadalajara, the largest cities in the country and the two locations with the highest breast cancer incidence rates. The workshops heavily emphasized the importance of breast cancer survivor empowerment, how to access reliable sources of information, patient rights and advocating for your health, living with breast cancer and self-esteem. Facilitators are making plans to form new groups and expand the services they currently offer. In Mexico City, the team will continue to train support group facilitators.
Educam Breast Cancer Detection Education Program
Project Location:
Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl, State of Mexico
Project Leader:
María de Pilar Cruz Juarez
Partner Organizations:
10 Course for the Cure Graduates
Target Audience:
Current support group leaders and Course for the Cure graduates working with breast cancer survivors.
Project Description:
In this densely-populated city, where breast cancer is a leading cause of death for women 30-60 years old, the project developed a five-point breast cancer action plan for the State of Mexico which they presented to key municipal government and health authorities, social development agency leaders, local representatives of Congress and hospitals and clinics. The Municipal Family Development Dept.; the State Health Institute (ISSEM); Mexico Social Security Institute (IMSS); State Workers’ Social Services and Security Institute (ISSSTE) and the Municipal and State Social Security Institute (ISSEMYM) were all present and signed the plan to recognize breast cancer as the leading cause of death among women in the state, as well as to work to improve early detection and reduce mortality caused by breast cancer in the municipality of Netzahualcoyotl. In addition, 15 facilitators were trained on BSA, and reached upwards of 900 women through 30 information sessions. Tthe project also assisted more than 200 women to get screened either through clinical breast exams, mammograms or ultrasounds. Through the project’s efforts, the public health service agreed to provide a radiologist for the mammography machine in the city, and the team is continuing to give BSA sessions in collaboration with other organizations that have joined the cause.