The “Discovering Hands” program was started in Germany 10 years back with a new innovative method ‘Tactile Breast Examination (TBE)’ by blind women using their highly sensitive tactile senses to detect early signs of breast cancer. To date, the program has screened over 120,000 women in Europe and over 5,000 women in India.
With this project, Ms. Shalini Khanna envisions creating awareness about the early detection and prevention of breast cancer and training visually impaired women to earn their dignified livelihood.
Dr. Frank Hoffmann from Discovering Hands Germany and Ms. Shalini Khanna from NAB India Centre for Blind Women came together to transform “Disabilities into Capabilities”. As a result, the NAB India Centre for Blind Women emerged as the pioneering organization to introduce Discovering Hands in Asia.
Most medical professionals acknowledge that blind individuals possess an enhanced tactile sense, allowing them to detect breast lumps or abnormalities as small as 0.5 cm. This inherent ability makes them particularly well-suited for the Tactile Breast Examination Training course.
Our program goes beyond the basics, involving in-depth training for blind women in medical concepts and the nuances of interacting with both patients and doctors. To identify potential candidates, a meticulous assessment process is conducted following the initial mobilization phase. The shortlisted individuals undergo a detailed assessment, and the final selection is made based on their performance during this assessment.
The Tactile Breast Examination Training course spans 9 months and is structured into two essential components:
The core of the program involves comprehensive training in both theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to Tactile Breast Examinations. This thorough training equips participants with the expertise needed to perform accurate and sensitive examinations. This segment lasts for a duration of 6 months.
The 3 month long clinical internship aims to fully engage participants in a clinical environment, offering practical experience in recognizing different types of lumps and gaining insight into breast cancer under the supervision of an oncologist.
Upon conducting the 9 month training program, participants are required to undergo a final assessment to attain the designationof Medical Tactile Examiner (MTE)
By investing in this program, we not only harness the unique abilities of blind women but also empower them with the knowledge and skills to make a significant impact in breast cancer detection and prevention. Together, we are creating a path for blind individuals to contribute meaningfully to the medical field while addressing a critical aspect of women’s health
