A Tactile Correct (Biofidelic) Teaching Model for Training Medical Staff to Diagnose Breast Cancer: Detecting Breast Disease using Palpation

When breast cancer is detected early, and is in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 100%. (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2019) There is a survival advantage in detecting breast cancer early and treating it quickly (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019; Cancer Australia, 2004, updated 2009; McDonald, Saslow, and Alciati, 2004; National Breast Cancer Foundation, 2019). Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) is a method which can fast track symptomatic women with a breast lump to scarce medical specialist resources to speed the investigation into their putative cancer and facilitate early treatment if needed. Yet too many medical students and doctors feel they could improve their skills in clinical breast examination. Realistic breast models will help the necessary training (Saslow et al. 2004). But knowing what skills need to be transferred and how to design physical breast models are very different things. What are the important skills in identifying and discriminating breast masses by touch and how do simulation models and a validated testing tool assist skill acquisition? Here’s a good example of the creation and development of a successful design from the following brief: to make physical breast models realistic enough to be integral to training and a subsequent testing package, where medical personnel acquire, maintain and improve the skills required to detect possible breast cancer by palpation.