In the field of health communication and education, JBCP adopts two different yet complimentary approaches to increase the level of knowledge, change attitudes and improve practices concerning breast cancer risk factors, screening, and early detection methods.
Campaigns and Mass Awareness Activities
The first approach focuses on mass awareness activities including national campaigns, and frequent participation in exhibitions, events and mass media (magazines, newspapers, etc.) In cooperation with all partners and stakeholders, JBCP conducts one national campaign each year; October, which is the International Month for Breast Cancer Awareness.
Every October, breast cancer organizations and charities all around the world celebrate the International Month for Breast Cancer Awareness. Each October, the Jordan Breast Cancer Program launches a massive nation-wide campaign aimed at educating and raising awareness of the public at large and females in specific on breast cancer and the importance of early detection, with a particular focus on encouraging women aged 40 and above to get their mammograms.
Throughout the month of October, JBCP collaborates with the various health sectors in Jordan in the implementation of a multitude of planned activities that are held throughout the Kingdom, including road shows, information booths and exhibitions in major shopping malls, superstores, schools and universities, interactive and educational lectures, free clinical breast examinations and discounted mammograms at public and private hospitals and centers, television and radio coverage, a free hotline, the production and distribution of educational brochures, posters and pink ribbons – the symbol of breast cancer awareness – among countless other activities.
As Jordan’s largest and most widespread breast cancer awareness campaign yet, the October Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign engages thousands – from the school student to the homemaker to the career woman – in the national fight against breast cancer.
Outreach and Interpersonal Activities
The second approach is directed more towards interpersonal and outreach activities that are smaller in scale but can have a greater impact on behavioral change such as interactive lectures, a permanent hotline ( 0 800 22 246 ), training on self breast examination (SBE), and so on. This approach closely engages key informants and gate keepers, such as educators and health professionals, for the promotion of information and services.
This year JBCP has begun to provide home visits to women in a pilot project to raise more awareness about breast cancer and reach more women.