Breast Course for Nurses helps primary care workers notice change in patients’ breasts at the frontline

In many places in Southern Africa, the first contact for women (and men) with breast complaints, is a nurse in a primary clinic. There is little formal breast training for these nurses. Professor Jenny Edge started the Breast Course for Nurses in 2012 to bridge the gap between primary nursing and early detection of changes in patients’ breasts. To date, over 700 health care providers have completed the Breast Course for Nurses in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Malawi. The training provided is aimed at equipping primary health care providers with the knowledge and skills required to manage patients with breast problems.