Breast health public welfare activity plan

The core implementation logic of this breast health public welfare activity is "low-threshold access, anxiety-free science popularization, and full-cycle assistance", covering women of all ages from 18 to 65 years old. It is expected to complete 100,000+ science popularization visits, 1,200 free breast ultrasound screenings, and help 30 difficult breast disease patients within 3 months. Ultimately, it will break the stigma of breast health topics and promote the understanding that "early screening and early intervention is far better than subsequent treatment" into real life scenarios.

Don't tell me, I decided on this direction in the beginning because I stepped into a trap before. The year before last, we held an expert lecture in our old community, unfurled banners, printed manuals, and prepared eggs as souvenirs. Many aunties came. When asked at the end of the lecture, 80% of the people said, "I'm not in pain, so why check this?"

This time we simply abandoned the traditional lecture format in the auditorium and put the popular science points into places where everyone would go. In the convenience market in the urban village, our stall is next to the manicure stall and the cart selling fresh cut flowers. The banner we hang does not say anything serious about "Preventing and Treating Breast Cancer." It just says "Five minutes of fishing and receive a small health gift package." The little girls passing by and the aunts picking up their children from school can come over and scan the code to receive it. What’s in the bag is not a manual full of professional terms, but a self-examination guide drawn in cartoon strips, as well as free screening coupons in cooperation with the maternal and child health hospital in the jurisdiction. There is no need to register or queue up. You can just go and report your mobile phone number. Even the clinic area is separated to ensure that no one except the doctor can see your report. Oh, yes, we also made several simulated breast models with simulated lumps and put them on the booth to teach everyone how to touch and self-examine. At first, some people were embarrassed to touch them. Later, the aunt next to them said, "What's the point of this? It's just like touching your steamed buns to see if they have risen." More people gathered around to ask.

In fact, the team had many quarrels when making the content. One group was an expert from a cooperative hospital, and they said that severe cases had to be shown in order to make everyone wary. Otherwise, they would just laugh and laugh, and they would not take it seriously after reading it.； The other group is a volunteer for youth science popularization. They say that everyone has a sense of shame about this topic. As soon as it was introduced, scary pathology pictures were shown, and people who originally wanted to be screened were scared away. In the end, we did not insist on a unified plan and created different content for different groups: In the community tea party for middle-aged and elderly women over 45 years old, we invited local cured patients to share their stories, such as Aunt Zhang who lives in Xingfu Community. She was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer 5 years ago. After the surgery, she now dances square dances every day and takes her granddaughter to the park. What she said was "I was in pain for half a month and didn't take it seriously. Fortunately, I checked it out, and now there is nothing wrong." No matter how much data the experts say, it is more effective. ； For young women between the ages of 18 and 30, we collaborated with university clubs and local health bloggers to film topics such as "Is it okay if my aunt has pain in the front?" and "Will wearing push-up bras cause illness?" which are topics that people usually secretly search for. We didn't mention cancer at all. We first solved everyone's daily questions and slowly penetrated the importance of regular screening. Now the views of several short videos have exceeded 200,000, and many people in the background asked us how to get screening coupons.

Screening is only the first step, and we have also opened up the path for subsequent assistance in advance. We have signed a cooperation with a local charity foundation. Patients who are screened for abnormalities or have family difficulties, whether they are migrant workers or low-income households, can apply for full medical subsidies. Last year, we helped a sister Wang who worked as a cleaner in an office building. She felt a lump in her chest and had to carry it for half a year. She was afraid of spending money. Check, I got a screening coupon at the market and was diagnosed with early-stage carcinoma in situ. I applied for a subsidy and had the surgery. Now I have gone back to work. I also volunteered at our events and told people who came for consultation about my experience. I said, "If I hadn't caught up with this event, I don't know how long it would have been."

Oh, yes, there is another very important detail. In the past, we always liked to hand out pink ribbons during events, thinking it was a sign of breast health. As a result, many aunts thought the pink ribbon was too "tender" and they were embarrassed to hold it in their hands. Later, we changed it to a navy blue canvas bag with four big words "Eat Well" printed on it. Everyone can carry it when shopping for groceries and go to the supermarket, but they are willing to have it. In addition, before making an appointment for screening, you had to fill in a lot of personal information. Many people were unwilling to fill in the information for fear of privacy leakage. This time we simplified it to just leave a mobile phone number. The screening reports are sealed and you must bring your ID to collect them. Even family members cannot collect them on your behalf. After all, privacy is not done well, so no one dares to come.

According to the latest data released by the National Cancer Center in 2023, breast cancer has ranked first in the incidence of malignant tumors among women in my country, but the 5-year survival rate of early-stage breast cancer can reach more than 90%. The gap lies in the popularization of screening awareness. Currently, the screening rate for female breast cancer in my country is less than 30%, especially in rural areas and migrant female groups, where the screening rate is less than 15%. By doing this activity, we essentially lower the threshold for screening and everyone's shame to a minimum, so that more people are willing and dare to get tested.

In fact, after doing so many public welfare activities, my biggest feeling is that we don’t need to make breast health such a heavy topic. It is just like taking medicine when we have a cold or getting a gastroscopy when we have an upset stomach.