Curationis 29(3): 70-77Breast cancer has been described as one of the life-threatening diseases affecting women and is a major problem in women's health issues. The unrecorded number of cases of breast lumps and breast cancer observed in women in Sierra Leone prompted the researcher to organize a "Breast Week" during which 1 200 women were educated on breast cancer and the importance of breast health. This research is a follow up of the "Breast Week" which was organized in Freetown, Sierra Leone The specific objective of this study was to assess whether the knowledge and teachings given to the women who participated in this project was fully understood. A sample size of 120 women (10%) who participated in the "Breast Week" was obtained through systematic sampling.A quantitative approach was adopted and a structured interview schedule guided the data collection process. The data were processed through use of SPSS and Microsoft Excel. Texts from open ended questions were categorized and frequency counts were applied to the data. It was found that the majority (96.6%) of the women had some knowledge of breast cancer. They linked breast cancer to the signs and symptoms associated with it and were able to describe the disease as one that kills women if not promptly detected and/or treated appropriately. Findings indicate that the majority of the women are aware of the dangers of the disease and had knowledge of someone who had died of breast cancer (59.2%). An assessment of the effectiveness of knowledge on breast cancer showed that these women could identify breast cancer as a disease that affects women and may cause death if not detected on time.

Curationis 30(4): 38-44This research is a follow up of a Breast Week which was organized in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The specific objective o f this study was to assess the effectiveness of the knowledge and teachings given to the women who participated in this project. A quantitative approach with an exploratory descriptive design was adopted and an observational checklist guided the data collection process. A sample size o f 120 women (10%) who participated in the Breast Week was obtained through systematic sampling. During the Breast Week women were taught how to examine their breasts using breast self-exam ination (BSE) to detect abnorm alities o f the breasts. This study was undertaken one year later by the researcher to ascertain whether the information on breast self-examination provided during the Breast Week was being utilised and whether what was taught was being put into use. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 11.5. Reliability and validity were ensured through the use o f a structured observational checklist and a pilot study was undertaken. The observations were all observed and recorded by the same researcher. The majority o f the 120 women (91.7%) stated that they had never practiced BSE before the Breast Week. After receiving health education on BSE, 95% were able to dem onstrate an effective method o f undertaking BSE. It is thus recommended that every opportunity should be utilized in health care settings to teach BSE and to reinforce the practice, especially in poverty stricken countries where other forms of screening methods are unavailable.

It is a privilege to be asked to review a book by such an eminent author as Marsha Walker. This is a comprehensive breastfeeding tome that will appeal to health professionals and lay supporters who are passionate about breastfeeding. It is a fabulous reference book to dip into to seek answers to specific breastfeeding challenges.