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Dr. Tad Slubowski
(far right), Dr. Margaret Slubowski (second from right) and Patrice Stephens (far left)

MammaCare Training in Warsaw, Poland
September 1-2, 2001

MammaCare Specialist Patrice Stephens, RN, MS (first row, 2nd from left) with the Amberheart Polish Breast Cancer Screening Team

Summary of My Experience in Warsaw,Poland
Patrice A. Stephens, RN, MS

It was mid-July when Dr. Tad Slubowski called me from Canada to ask me to help train nurses from throughout Poland on the MammaCare Method of clinical breast exam and self-breast exam. The program, sponsored by Amberheart Breast Cancer Foundation for Poland and Avon Cosmetics, was to be held at a training center in Warsaw. It would include educational lectures by physicians and other professionals. I was challenged by this opportunity; and after considering the offer, I accepted the challenge.

I was asked to prepare a presentation for the nurses on the first day of training. I was to cover breast health care and organizations in the United States as well as the role of nurses, such as myself, in the field of breast health. In addition, I would be assisting the physicians and several nurses in training approximately 150 nurses on the MammaCare Method of Breast Examination. The nurses would then return to their communities and participate in over 100 "Days of Avon," where women would be taught self-breast examination techniques and the nurses would also perform clinical breast exams on these women. Mammography would also be arranged as part of the total program of early detection for these women.

I arrived in Warsaw on Friday, August 31^st and was met by Dr. Slubowski at the airport. On Saturday morning, September 1^st, Dr. Iwona Piotrowska, a radiologist in Poland, brought me to the training center in the north of Warsaw. This center was where the educational lectures were held, and the nurses learned both self-breast exam and clinical breast exam. After saying "Hello" and "I am from Chicago" in my "best" Polish, I was fortunate to have Dr. Mark Podolski translate my presentation.

Late into the evening on Saturday and throughout the day on Sunday, the nurses viewed videotapes, worked with breast models, and practiced their newfound skills. The training session was completed as each of the 147 nurses performed proper breast self-exam techniques. In addition, they performed clinical breast exams on one another, demonstrating their skills while teaching their "patient" about self-exam.

The experience was wonderful; everyone was very gracious and welcoming. I believe the program was a big success. As the nurses continue their work throughout the country, women will benefit greatly by this early detection program sponsored by Amberheart Breast Cancer Foundation for Poland and Avon Cosmetics Poland. I look forward to hearing final results of the program. I also plan on continuing to work with Dr. Slubowski and the other doctors I met. My experience was once in a lifetime, and I look forward to future endeavors, wherever they may take me.

Patrice A. Stephens, RN, MS
Advocate Christ Medical Center