The Global Breast Cancer Training Package

Overview

This project is based on a partnership between ABS, Global Health Partnerships (formerly known as THET), Cancer Diseases Hospital Lusaka (CDH), the Ugandan Cancer Institute Kampala (UCI) and Blended Learning UK (BLUK) with funding from Sanofi.

The GBCTP is a tiered program of training equipping senior doctors and nurses from LMICs (Master Trainers) with materials to train practitioners at Primary Health Worker (PHW) level. PHWs are equipped to train Community Health Workers (CHWs) who then educate local communities in breast cancer awareness.

The program combines on line and face to face learning with a focus on breast cancer knowledge, mentorship and skills. It is designed to facilitate decentralisation of care and is fully aligned with the WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative. 

The training package is currently being piloted in Zambia and Uganda with a view to extending it to other LMICs. The pilot will complete in November 2026.

Needs analysis

Master Trainers

• 27 responses: Uganda and Zambia
• Roles: doctors/ nurses/ health educators
• Full range of MDT specialities represented
• Experience: breast cancer screening, diagnosis and management
• Needs identified: training in educational, leadership and mentorship methods

Primary Healthcare Workers

• 102 responses: Zambia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania
• Roles: Majority nurses, doctors, midwives
• Experience: some training in breast examination, 
• Needs identified: record-keeping, referral pathways, educational methods, feedback, breast cancer diagnostics
• Learning requirements: collaborative, flexible, practical

Community Health Workers

• 185 responses: India, Zambia, Ethiopia, Tanzania
• Attributes: Secondary-level education, local dialects 
• Experience: some training in breast cancer, no clinical role
• Needs identified: breast cancer symptoms, risk factors, addressing myths, referral pathways, patient support, public education
• Learning requirements: face-to-face, group teaching, involve survivors

Educational Programme

Outcomes

Reporting period: September 2025 - March 2026

Number of events/activities conducted:

• A total of 1,500 community sensitisation and awareness activities (door to door sensitization, routine facility activities, awareness outreach in markets, schools, workplaces etc.) were conducted by Primary Health Workers (PHWs) and Community Health Workers (CHWs).

Number of people reached with breast cancer information:

• 231,736 individuals were reached with breast health information through these activities.
• Of these, 17,081 individuals underwent breast examination.

Objectives

Develop a Global Breast Cancer Training Package:

Create standardised tools and training materials tailored to the needs of primary and community health workers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). 

Strengthen Health Worker Capacity:

Train Master Trainers and support them in cascading knowledge to Primary Healthcare Workers (PHWs) and Community Health Workers (CHWs). 

Equip healthcare workers:

To raise awareness, screen, diagnose, and manage breast cancer cases effectively. 

Enhance Community Awareness:

Promote early detection and self-examination through awareness campaigns integrated with existing community health structures. 

Support Healthcare Systems:

Collaborate with Ministries of Health to decentralise breast cancer care, aligning with national health strategies and priorities. 

Establish robust data collection systems:

To track project outcomes and inform policy improvements. 

Implementation Approach 

The project employs a phased approach: 

1. Phase 1 focuses on developing the training package with input from local and international experts, conducting baseline assessments, and establishing a technical oversight group. 
2. Phase 2 involves rolling out the training package through a cascade model, starting with Master Trainers, followed by training PHWs and CHWs in Uganda and Zambia.