Abstract

TORRES AJA, Lidia; IGLESIAS LEóN, Miriam  and  ZERQUERA ALVAREZ, Carlos. Learning Needs of General Medicine Specialists in order to Perform an Early Diagnosis of Breast Cancer. Medisur [online]. 2011, vol.9, n.3, pp. 245-249. ISSN 1727-897X.

Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of death from malignant tumors in females. The evolution and survival of these patients depends, to a large extent, on the performance of an early diagnosis. This diagnosis is conditioned by the knowledge that professionals working in primary health care services have on this disease. Objective: To determine the learning needs of General Medicine specialists in order to perform an early diagnosis of breast cancer. Methods: educational research developed at the University of Medical Sciences of Cienfuegos, with General Medicine specialists. The knowledge these professionals have on early diagnosis of breast cancer was determined. The methods used included: document analysis, surveys, group discussions, participant observation and triangulation. Results: There are gaps in medicine curricula in relation to breast cancer. The knowledge that specialists in General Medicine have on prophylaxis, risk factors and early diagnosis of breast cancer is very low. There are shortcomings that hinder good working development in relation to breast diseases. Some of them are: no specialized breast consultations in health areas, lack of a mammography unit in the province and ultrasound equipment in some areas that is not prepared to perform breast ultrasounds. Conclusions: We confirmed the need to update the general medicine specialist on early diagnosis of breast cancer as part of the general care that should be provided to women.

Keywords : early detection of cancer; learning; clinical competence; physicians family.