Reaching Out To Every Woman

Objectives

The concept of a fully-equipped mobile Mammography Unit is to provide women access to a free mammogram, either as part of the annual medical check-up, or for those who have discovered a lump on the breast.  If required, this mobile unit can work as a tool for a preventive breast cancer screening program in Oman.

With the help of community donors from all walks of life, the National Association of Cancer Awareness (NACA) has organized this service as an outreach program of support and awareness and the diagnoses of breast diseases. This service will be community-based and will cater to Omanis and the expatriate population in Oman.

Eventually, this service is envisioned to cater to the whole of Oman.

NACA would like to highlight the moral support of HE Dr. Ali Moosa, Minister of Health, which has helped make this project a success.

Procedure

The mobile unit will initially contain a digital mammogram to screen patients. The images will be digitalized for reporting to NACA head quarters.

A patient without pathology (i.e., no findings or symptoms), age 40 years old and above will be eligible for a mammogram . A protocol will be written and agreed upon by our oncologists.  The patient will be advised when the follow-up mammogram will be necessary.

Ladies with a palpable lump will be given the mammogram, regardless of the 40-year age minimum. In this case, the oncologists will discuss the protocol, and agree on the next steps.

Logistics

HE the Minister of Health has approved that the mobile unit can be stationed within the perimeter of the MOH health centers for a required period. Patients who need mammograms can access the facility immediately. Ladies not from the center may also have access to this facility.

HE the Minister of Health has seconded 5 radiographers who will, on Rota, operate the mammogram mobile unit.

NACA has been granted by the MOH a clinic status, with the necessary reporting facilities already installed. Thus, NACA is authorized to report the findings to the oncology centers.

Patients who qualify for the mammogram will use the same MOH number together with the ID Civil Card for follow-up and easy integration into the hospital system, if a referral is needed.

Standard Operating Procedures for the Mobile Unit

1. Upon arrival at the unit, the patient is registered.

2. The patient fills out a relevant questionnaire (prepared by a specialist physician group). Cancer advocates will assist the patient in answering the questions.

3. Based on criteria for having a mammogram, the patient will be offered to undergo the examination. A disc with the images of the patient's mammogram results will be provided and sent within 24 - 48 hours to the patient, for her records. NACA will store the patient's mammogram images for 10 years to aid in succeeding check-ups and for medico-legal reasons.

4. Patients who are detected or suspected to have symptoms/findings will be referred to the oncology centers. These patients will be given top priority referrals at the breast clinics.

Coordination

 NACA will coordinate with the Health Centers, Women Association Centers, regional hospitals, and the Walyes of the regions where the mobile unit will offer the service.

Conclusion

NACA envisions enhancing the program of early, repeated examinations, which will lead to early diagnosis and better options for complete cure. This mobile unit program needs collaborative cooperation from all the stakeholders, to offer maximum benefit to the community as a whole.

We at the NACA thank all those who have worked with us, and those whose services are now required to ensure the success of this program