Community health workers and early detection of breast cancer in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic scoping review of the literature.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Breast cancer is the leading cause of female mortality in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Early detection of breast cancer, either through screening or early diagnosis initiatives, led by community health workers (CHWs) has been proposed as a potential way to address the unjustly high mortality rates. We therefore document: (1) where and how CHWs are currently deployed in this role; (2) how CHWs are trained, including the content, duration and outcomes of training; and (3) the evidence on costs associated with deploying CHWs in breast cancer early detection.

Methods

We conducted a systematic scoping review and searched eight major databases, as well as the grey literature. We included original studies focusing on the role of CHWs to assist in breas

SUBMITTER: O'Donovan J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7228495 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature