On June 1, 2022, we shared the exciting story of how Daiichi Sankyo Brasil (DSBR) was embracing “open paths for equity and inclusion for women” through their "Mulheres Amigas - Temporada Amazônia" initiative to provide free breast cancer screening to women in the Amazon region of Brazil.
Now, we’d like to share the results of the important and meaningful patient-centric initiative.
For over 95 days, the initiative’s mammography truck, which was a project conceived by DSBR and carried out in partnership with the NPO, Américas Amigas, visited 6 cities in the Amazon region and assisted a total of 4,742 people with exams and consultations.
Journey made by the mammography truck during the 95 days
A doctor analyzing images from a recent mammogram
During the 95 days, a total of 4,374 mammograms were performed—a number 22% above expectations. Patients between 40 and 49 years old were 47% of the total—an important number, considering that the Brazilian public health system covers mammograms for women between 50-69 years—with 32% between 50 and 59 years old, 15% between 60 and 69 years old, and 5% over 70 years old.
The truck with its eye-catching design to raise awareness of the initiative
Inside the truck, both scheduled and spontaneous mammograms were performed for anyone who showed up if they fulfilled the prerequisites for attendance (age, social-economic situation, etc.). In addition, other exams, such as breast ultrasounds, were also performed and examination results showing irregularities were referred for further consultation to undergo other diagnostic exams in partner laboratories and clinics.
Workshop held in Belém, focused on training health agents
In Belém, in the northern state of Pará and at the halfway point of the truck’s journey, the success of the program was also remarkable as shown in the training for nurses and community healthcare professionals. In addition to a class on breast cancer, signs and symptoms, risk factors, access, and so on, participants also had the opportunity to practice searching for lumps and reviewing the referral guidelines.
In addition, the enormous impact of the “Mulheres Amigas-Amazon Season” project had a worldwide impact. The project video was shown at the Union for International Cancer Control) in October 2022, reaching more than 1,000 participants meeting to discuss progress in cancer prevention and other important topics.
The final project Executive Report contains information on the activities carried out in all the cities visited, as well as the results.
As a patient in Cuiabá, the last city attended by the project, said 4 months later, “Thanks to the "Mulheres Amigas - Temporada Amazônia" project, I discovered a carcinoma at an early stage and I already had the surgery to remove the tumor, which was successful. This work is great in people's lives, because I believe that without it, it would have been much more difficult and time consuming to close this diagnosis and seek treatment. Very grateful for the initiative!”