Evaluating Scaleup of an Adapted Breast Cancer Early Diagnosis Program in Rwanda (NCT05364138) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Evaluating Scaleup of an Adapted Breast Cancer Early Diagnosis Program in Rwanda
Rwanda2,357 participantsStarted 2023-07-31
Plain-language summary
Breast cancer incidence is increasing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and breast cancer mortality is high in these regions largely due to late stage diagnoses. This is true in the low-income East African country of Rwanda, where there are no national protocols in place to guide evaluation and referral of breast symptoms at primary health facilities.
This study will use quantitative and qualitative methods to examine implementation of the Women's Cancer Early Detection Program (WCEDP) in order to understand optimal strategies to scale and sustain breast cancer early diagnosis in Rwanda and other limited-resource settings. The WCEDP is an adaptation of a prior intervention in Burera District, which focused on building community awareness of breast symptoms, improving clinicians' clinical breast assessment (CBA) skills, and implementing weekly breast clinics at the primary health care center and hospital levels. The Burera intervention was associated with improvements in health care workers' knowledge and skills, increases in care-seeking and receipt of care by women with breast symptoms, and an increase in early-stage breast cancer diagnoses.
Who can participate
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* All individuals who are evaluated for a breast concern or receive breast cancer screening through implementation of the nationally-led early detection programs
Exclusion Criteria:
* None
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial was conducted in Rwanda and focused on scaling up an early diagnosis program — does that mean the methods or tools it tested could affect how breast cancer screening is approached at my own clinic or health center?
2Since this study measured how many patients showed up for clinical breast assessment each week rather than tracking treatment outcomes, what does that tell us about what stage of research this program is in, and does it mean we don't yet have data on whether it actually improves survival or detection rates?
3The trial is now completed — has my doctor seen any published results or reports from this Rwanda program that might be relevant to understanding early detection strategies for my situation?
4This program also included benign breast disease and cervical cancer alongside breast cancer — does my doctor think an integrated early diagnosis approach like this is something worth considering for my own follow-up care?
5Given that this was a program-delivery study rather than a drug or treatment trial, should I be asking about early detection resources or community screening options available to me now, rather than waiting for further research to emerge from this work?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Number of patients presenting to health centers for CBA per week (Reach)