Cancer prevention education in developing countries: Toward a model for nurse educators

The National Cancer Institute, United Stares of America, funded a series of continuing education courses in cancer prevention between 1986 and 1994 fo r nurses from developing countries. The purpose of this program was to stim ulate interest and facilitate an increase in the participants' knowledge of primary and secondary cancer prevention. The long-term objectives were to increase the number of nurses, internationally, prepared to engage in the p revention and the early detection of cancer in their countries, to expand t he international cancer nursing network, and to have these nurses ultimatel y play a role in reducing the incidence of cancer in developing countries. More than 50 nations were represented. Participants were chosen for their d emonstrated ability to influence nursing education and practice in their co untry. They completed a demographic data sheet, an attitude inventory, a pr ogram evaluation and pre- and postconference activities surveys. Before and after attending the conference, participants were asked to identify antici pated problems and obstacles to their goal achievement. These problems incl uded a lack of screening facilities and a lack of primary prevention servic es. Although numerous differences existed in their education, experience, a nd personal attributes, the participants voiced common problems with cancer prevention programs. Results from the postconference survey showed a subst antial increase in cancer-related activities conducted by the participants. Activities included an increase in cancer content in nursing education pro grams, art increase in public and professional presentations on cancer prev ention, and improvement in the delivery, of cancer care.