Breast Self-Examination: An Early Familiar Diagnostic Test of Breast Cancer

Background: Among female patients’ breast cancer are a growing threat for over a century. In women, breast cancer is the most common malignancy universally such as 154 of 185 nations. Breast self-examination (BSE) is a simple, very low-cost, non-invasive early detection method used to detect early breast cancer, which involves the woman herself looking at and feeling for any change in their breast as early as possible, which yields a better survival rate. BSE should be done for all women older than 20 years. This study intended to determine knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of breast cancer among medical and non-medical undergraduate students. Material & Methods: A descriptive cross?sectional study was conducted from October to November 2019 to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of BSE. The target population consisted of undergraduate female medical and non?medical students. A total of 154 (N=154) undergraduate female students participated in this study. Verbal consent was taken before recruiting the study population. Completed data forms were reviewed, edited, and processed for computer data entry. The data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25.0. Results: Among the study population (N=154) with an early familiar diagnosis of breast cancer ”breast self-examination, the mean age of them was 20.434±4.38. Of seventy-eight respondents (n=78), breast cancer screening test was heard by around half of the medical students (42, 53.8%) & of seventy-six non-medical respondents (n=76), around three-fifth of them (46, 60.5%) did not hear about breast cancer screening test. There was no significant relationship between them (p=0.394). Forty medical students (40, 51.3% and twenty-five non-medical students (25, 32.9%) had no idea, twenty-four medical students (24, 30.8%) & forty-three (43, 56.6%) non-medical students had monthly BSE done. Conclusion: Initial diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer have a definite survival benefit. So early detection is an issue of necessity to be uplifted. The results of the present study suggested that knowledge regarding breast cancer, its risk factors, sign symptoms, prevention measures, and performance of BSE is insufficient.

STUDY OF KNOWLEDGE OF BREAST CANCER AND ITS EARLY DIAGNOSTICS IN FEMALE TERTIARY HEALTH WORKERS

OBJECTIVE- To study the knowledge of breast cancer, early detection methods and whomto consult after detecting abnormality among female tertiary health workers.METHOD- This is a descriptive cross-sectional study of 70 female health workers age groupmore than 20 years carried out at various hospitals after taking consent.RESULT- Being majority of young married doctor respondents, below the age of 40 years(81.4%) study was conducted, almost all the respondents are aware of breast cancer, 69(98.5%). Majority of them got information from media (77.1%), followed by seminars(64.2%) and books (62.8%). Only 15.7% of respondents had a positive family history ofbreast cancer. Most participants were aware of BSE and thinks its useful tool (74.3%) butdoesn’t know about proper timing and method for BSE. They have been taught BSE (58.5%)out of which majority were taught by teachers (51.5%). 41.4% and 60% of respondents knewthat BSE should be done monthly and should start after age of 20 respectively. Onerespondent has discovered an abnormality. Respondents are relatively less aware about BSE28 (40%). 45 (64.3%) and 16 (22.9%) think that BSE should be done by a doctor and trainednurse respectively. The level of awareness of sonomammography was high amongrespondents- 43 (57.1%), but only 8 (11.43%) had undergone sonomammography, because of‘not of proper age’ 27 (38.57%).CONCLUSION- Practice and attitude of breast cancer screening should be promoted amonghealth workers and the general population

Knowledge and practice towards breast self-examination among accredited social health activists (ASHA) in the rural field practice area of a government medical college in north coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in the world, and it is the main cause of death and morbidity in Indian women. Breast self-examination (BSE) is a routine exam that can detect 40% of breast abnormalities and involves two key components that is looking and feeling. Women should learn what is normal for them, so that they can recognize any changes immediately. Aim & objectives: 1) To assess Knowledge and Practice about Breast Self-Examination. 2) To assess awareness about warning signs of Breast cancer. Methodology: A Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 55 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) in the month of January 2021 in the Rural field practice area of Rural Health Centre (RHC) attached to the Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Visakhapatnam. A predesigned, semi structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and practice of BSE. Data was entered in MS Excel and analysed using SPSS Version 17. Chi square test was applied to find out the statistical associations if any between categorical variables. Results: In the present study only 1.8% of the ASHA workers were found to have good knowledge. 41.8% and 56.3% had average and poor knowledge respectively about BSE. Out of 55 ASHA workers, 39 (71%) have heard of BSE, 25.4% were practicing regularly and 14.5% of them were practicing correct method. Conclusion: The Knowledge and Practice of BSE among ASHA workers was observed to be inadequate which points out the need for training programs to educate them.

Awareness and practice of breast self-examination (BSE) with its socio-demographic associates: a cross-sectional survey in the capital of Rajasthan, India

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer of women worldwide. Early diagnosis of it has a very important role in its management. Breast self-examination (BSE) is a key to the early diagnosis of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 females of Jaipur city. This study was conducted by a house-to-house survey through a systematic random sampling technique in the field practice area of the Urban Health Training Centre (UHTC) of SMS medical college, Jaipur (Rajasthan), India. A predesigned semi-structured questionnaire containing predesigned questions regarding knowledge and practice of BSE was used to collect data. A Chi-square test was used to find out associations. Results: Only 18% of females were aware of BSE and 5.7% of the females were practicing BSE. Health professionals (31.03%) were the main source of knowledge. Only 50% of females who have heard the name of BSE, knew that it is performed by self. Awareness and practice of BSE both were found to be associated with religion, education, socioeconomic status, and occupation and there was no association with age and marital status. Females with higher education and socioeconomic status were more aware of BSE. The most common (94.69%) reason for not practicing BSE was the lack of awareness of steps followed by ‘find it unnecessary’. Conclusion: As knowledge and practice of BSE were observed very poor and considering the important role that can be played by BSE in the early diagnosis and management of breast cancer, there is an urgent need to implement and reinforce BSE in the existing cancer awareness and screening programs. IEC activities regarding BSE also motivated proper knowledge of BSE.

Insight of Saudi Women towards Breast Self-Examination in Qurayyat, Northern Saudi Arabia

Background: Implementing early detection’s sustainable programs of breast cancer is fundamental for better disease management. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the insight of Saudi women towards Breast self-examination (BSE) in Qurayyat, Northern Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This descriptive study included 620 Saudi volunteers living in the city of Qurayyat, Northern Saudi Arabia. Women who denied to participate in the breast self-examination workshop were included for perception assessment. Results: A previous BSE was experienced by 217/620 (35%). “Previous knowledge about BSE”, (response=536) good knowledge 217 (40%), poor knowledge 208 (39%), know nothing 111 (21%). Conclusion: There is relatively lower knowledge regarding BSE and its related factors in Northern Saudi Arabia. Saudi Northern women have positive attitudes towards health education and training on BSE.

Knowledge attitude practice on breast self-examination in a rural area in North Kerala

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. It is estimated that 5,08,000 women died due to breast cancer in 2011 globally. Late detection of breast cancer decreased the survival rate to 56% and the 5-year survival rate reached 85% with early detection of breast cancer. Breast self-examination (BSE) is an inexpensive tool which helps women to detect any early changes in their breasts and thus helps to reduce the breast cancer mortality and morbidity. The present study was designed to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding BSE among women aged 25 years and above. Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in rural North Kerala, among 206 women aged ?25 years selected by cluster sampling. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: The participants were aged between 25-94 years (mean age 40.15±13.17). 62.6% have heard about BSE. Among the 206 participants, 12% had good knowledge while 10.6% knew the correct technique of doing BSE and only 0.06% knew that BSE must be performed once a month. Though 80.5% have good attitude regarding BSE, only 36% practised BSE and only 0.04% performed it every month. Educational status (high school and below vs higher secondary and above) was found to be significantly associated with knowledge (p<0.001) and practice (p=0.003). Knowledge regarding BSE was significantly associated with practice (p<0.001) while family history of breast cancer was not (p=0.072). Conclusions: The respondents had good attitude regarding BSE but knowledge and practice on BSE were very poor. Educational status has an influence on the knowledge and practice while family history did not have any influence.

Knowledge, Attitude, Practice towards Breast Cancer and Breast Self-examination among Female Undergraduate Students in Karachi, Pakistan

Aims: The study was aimed at investigating knowledge, attitude and practice towards breast cancer and breast self-examination among female undergraduate students in Karachi, Pakistan.Study Design:Cross Sectional study.Place and Duration of Study:This study was conducted for a period of four months in different universities of Karachi, Pakistan. Methodology:The study was done using a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 381 undergraduate students of medical and non-medical universities were included. Results:The mean age of participants was 20.45 ±3.67 years.97% of the candidates had heard about breast cancer out ofwhich only 65.4% were aware about its high prevalence rate in Karachi, Pakistan. A good proportion of candidates i.e. 78% of participants had good knowledge of breast self examination out of which only 43.8% knew how to perform it but just 24.9 % actuallyperformed it.20.5% of female population had made arrangements for breast screening once in their lifetime however many of the candidates (39.1%) never experienced any symptoms of breast pathology thus never felt the need to screen themselves.Various signs and symptoms were considered as indications of breast cancer though lump as a sign was answered the most by 76.1% students. Out of the several risk factors of breast cancer 70.9% of candidates responded as family history the most common risk factor and early menstruation as a risk factor was 22.8% (the least). 44.4% of the aware candidates stated that they acquired this knowledge from social media. 21.5% had a positive family history. Mammography as a diagnostic modality was considered the most helpful by 61.4% population.Conclusion:Thestudy points out to the sufficient knowledge and attitude of breast cancer among female undergraduates in Karachi, Pakistan. However, they lacked the practice towards breast self examination. We expect that our results may provide useful data that could be used by the department of health in Karachi, Pakistan to formulate their health programs to increase the knowledge, attitude and practice towards breast cancer and breast self-examination

Encefalopatia espongiforme bovina atípica: uma revisão / Atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy: a review

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), caused by an infectious prion, emerged in the 1980s in Europe as a new disease in cattle and, since then, several actions are being taken for its prevention and control. Restricting the feeding of ruminants with animal by-products and the removal and destruction of specific risk materials (SRM) for the condition of carcasses in slaughterhouses have been proven effective to control the disease, in addition to the reduction of human exposure to the agent, as this is an important zoonosis. However, in 2004 the first atypical cases of BSE were diagnosed, in which the causative agents showed different molecular weights in Western blot (WB), compared to the classical form of the agent. In addition to the molecular differences, clinical presentations proved to be differentiated in atypical forms, affecting mainly cattle older than eight years. Because it is a new form of the disease, many studies are being conducted to elucidate the pathogenesis, epidemiology and zoonotic potential of atypical BSE. The aim of this study was to review the main aspects of atypical BSE emphasizing its etiology, epidemiology, clinical signs, diagnosis and control and prevention measures.

A encefalopatia espongiforme bovina (EEB), causada por um príon infectante, surgiu na década de 1980 na Europa como uma nova doença nos rebanhos bovinos e, desde então, estão sendo tomadas várias ações para sua prevenção e controle. A restrição da alimentação de ruminantes com subprodutos de origem animal e a remoção e destruição dos materiais de risco específico para a doença das carcaças em frigoríficos se mostraram efetivas medidas para o controle da doença, além de reduzirem a exposição humana ao agente, pois se trata de uma importante zoonose. No entanto, em 2004 os primeiros casos atípicos de EEB foram diagnosticados, nos quais os agentes causais apresentavam alterações de peso molecular na prova de Western blot, em relação ao agente da forma clássica. Além das diferenças moleculares dos agentes, as apresentações clínicas mostraram-se diferenciadas nas formas atípicas, acometendo principalmente bovinos com idade superior a oito anos. Por se tratar de uma nova forma da doença, muitos estudos estão sendo conduzidos buscando elucidar a patogenia, epidemiologia e seu potencial zoonótico. Objetivou-se neste estudo revisar os principais aspectos relacionados às EEB atípicas enfatizando sua etiologia, epidemiologia, sinais clínicos, diagnóstico e medidas de controle.

Encefalopatia espongiforme bovina atípica: uma revisão / Atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy: a review

A encefalopatia espongiforme bovina (EEB), causada por um príon infectante, surgiu na década de 1980 na Europa como uma nova doença nos rebanhos bovinos e, desde então, estão sendo tomadas várias ações para sua prevenção e controle. A restrição da alimentação de ruminantes com subprodutos de origem animal e a remoção e destruição dos materiais de risco específico para a doença das carcaças em frigoríficos se mostraram efetivas medidas para o controle da doença, além de reduzirem a exposição humana ao agente, pois se trata de uma importante zoonose. No entanto, em 2004 os primeiros casos atípicos de EEB foram diagnosticados, nos quais os agentes causais apresentavam alterações de peso molecular na prova de Western blot, em relação ao agente da forma clássica. Além das diferenças moleculares dos agentes, as apresentações clínicas mostraram-se diferenciadas nas formas atípicas, acometendo principalmente bovinos com idade superior a oito anos. Por se tratar de uma nova forma da doença, muitos estudos estão sendo conduzidos buscando elucidar a patogenia, epidemiologia e seu potencial zoonótico. Objetivou-se neste estudo revisar os principais aspectos relacionados às EEB atípicas enfatizando sua etiologia, epidemiologia, sinais clínicos, diagnóstico e medidas de controle.(AU)

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), caused by an infectious prion, emerged in the 1980s in Europe as a new disease in cattle and, since then, several actions are being taken for its prevention and control. Restricting the feeding of ruminants with animal by-products and the removal and destruction of specific risk materials (SRM) for the condition of carcasses in slaughterhouses have been proven effective to control the disease, in addition to the reduction of human exposure to the agent, as this is an important zoonosis. However, in 2004 the first atypical cases of BSE were diagnosed, in which the causative agents showed different molecular weights in Western blot (WB), compared to the classical form of the agent. In addition to the molecular differences, clinical presentations proved to be differentiated in atypical forms, affecting mainly cattle older than eight years. Because it is a new form of the disease, many studies are being conducted to elucidate the pathogenesis, epidemiology and zoonotic potential of atypical BSE. The aim of this study was to review the main aspects of atypical BSE emphasizing its etiology, epidemiology, clinical signs, diagnosis and control and prevention measures.(AU)

Impact of a Health Education “Intervention” Program towards Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Nurses in Kuala Krai Hospital, Kelantan / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

The National Health Morbidity Survey in 2006 showed Breast Self Examination (BSE) is still low in Malaysian women even though many awareness programs have been carried out. This study was conducted from May to December 2000 to observe the changes on the level of knowledge, practice and attitude amongst nurses at the Kuala Krai Hospital, Kelantan on the practice of BSE after a health education intervention program was conducted. The objective of the study is to increase the practice of BSE among nurses in that hospital. The study was performed by pre and post intervention without comparison. Respondents consist of 43 nurses selected by random sampling. The instrument used in this study was by questionnaires through direct interview with the respondent. The health education intervention program includes talks, BSE demonstration, counseling and exhibition, was conducted to educate the nurses on the proper time, frequency and correct technique of BSE. The results of the study showed a significant change in the level of knowledge (p < 0.001) before and after intervention. Meanwhile, analysis on practice showed no significant change towards correct BSE practice (p = 0.083). Analysis on attitude showed that all 43 or 100% respondents had changed from negative to positive towards perceived susceptibility, perceived barrier and perceived benefit. No relationship between the socio-demographic factors and the BSE practice (p = 0.63) was observed. Even though practice changes before and after intervention is still low and not significant, but the introduction of the health intervention program caused some changes among the nurses from Hospital Kuala Krai, even though there was no overall change.

Efeitos do diluidor na viabilidade espermática pós-criopreservação em tourinhos da raça Gir Leiteiro aos 25 meses de idade, pré-selecionados pela classificação andrológica por pontos / Effects of the extender in the semen post - thaw viability in young dairy Gyr bulls (Bos taurus indicus), pre - selected by breeding soundness evaluation

Procedeu-se à criopreservação do sêmen de oito tourinhos Gir Leiteiro, com idade média de 25 meses, pré-selecionados para elevada pontuação (média 84,4±5,6) na classificação andrológica por pontos (CAP), em dois diferentes diluidores: um à base de lactose-gema-glicerol e outro à base de lecitina de soja. As curvas de resfriamento e congelação foram padronizadas com o auxílio da máquina CRYOGEN®. Os parâmetros pós-congelação avaliados no sêmen submetido aos dois diluidores - motilidade, vigor, defeitos maiores, menores e totais, defeitos de acrossoma, cauda dobrada, reação ao teste hiposmótico (Thos) e células normais - foram comparados aos do sêmen fresco, exceto para Thos e entre eles. O sêmen de todos os animais foi congelado com êxito no diluidor lactose-gema-glicerol. Houve diferença (P<0,05) em todas as variáveis analisadas no sêmen fresco e pós-congelado, exceto para defeitos maiores. Entre diluidores, houve diferença (P<0,05) para motilidade, vigor, cauda dobrada e Thos. Estes resultados indicam que a seleção pelo CAP médio >80 é um bom índice para selecionar touros com maior taxa de espermatozoides viáveis pós-congelação.

Semen cryopreservation from eight young dairy Gyr bulls was performed using two different semen extenders. Bulls aging 25 months old and pre-selected for a high average score (84.4±5.6 in a 0-100 scale) in Zebu breeding soundness evaluation (BSE) composed the experimental group. Extenders were based on lactosis-egg yolk-glycerol and soya lecithin. Chilling and freezing curves were standardized by CRYOGEN® machine. Post-thaw features evaluated in semen frost in both extenders - motility, vigor, major, minor and total deffects, morphological alteration in acrossome, bent tail, reative cells to hyposmotic sweeling test (Thos), and normal cells - were compared to the ones in the fresh ejaculate (except Thos) and among them. It was possible to freeze semen from all animals in the lactosis-egg yolk-glycerol extender. There were difference (P<0.05) in all analyzed features between fresh and cryopreserved semen, except for major deffects. Between extenders, there were differences (P<0.05) in motility, vigor, bent tail, and Thos. All bulls had successfull semen freezability. These results sustain that pre-selection for high BSE values (average >80 points) is a good index to identify bulls with good post semen - thaw features. However, the choice of the extender is critical for obtaining acceptable results.

Factors Affecting Active Early Detection Behaviors of Breast Cancer in Outpatients / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was done to evaluate factors affecting active early detection behaviors of breast cancer and performance rate of breast self examination (BSE), physical examination and mammography. METHODS: The participants were 264 women from an outpatient breast clinic of a university hospital and materials were collected from March 2007 to February 2008 using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using chi-square test, logistic analysis. RESULTS: The rate for BSE was 58.3%, for physical examination, 55.3% and for mammography experience, 63.4%. Women with all of these active early detection behaviors accounted for 31.8% of the participants. Various factors such as age, income, marital status, and menopause showed increased significant performance rate. The explanation power of logistic model was 48.5%, and was significant for age, income and health belief. Factors related to high performance rate were being over 40 years of age, high income and high health belief score. CONCLUSION: Active early detection behaviors were not high in spite of marked increases in breast cancer incidence. Encouragement for women practicing early detection behavior is important, but there is also a need to develop interest and support for the low performance group. More sustained education and public relations are needed to further improve active early detection behavior.

Biological characteristics of Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with bovine Prnp

A normal prion protein (PrPc) is converted to a proteaseresistant isoform by an apparent self-propagating activity in transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, a neurodegenerative disease. The cDNA encoding open reading frame (ORF) of the bovine prion protein gene (Prnp) was cloned from Korean cattle by PCR, and was transfected into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells using lipofectamine. The gene expression of the cloned cDNA was confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blotting with the monoclonal antibody, 6H4. Cellular changes in the transfected CHO-K1 cells were investigated using parameters such as MTT, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, as well as nitric oxide (NO) production, and an apoptosis assay. In the MTT and LDH assays, the bovine PrnP-transfectant showed a lower proliferation rate than the wild-type (p < 0.05). Production of NO, after LPS or ConA stimulation, was not detected in either transfectants or CHO-K1 cells. In SOD assay under ConA stimulation, the SOD activity of transfectants was 10 times higher than that of CHO-K1 cells at 6 h after treatment (p < 0.05). The genomic DNA of both the transfectants and control cells began to be fragmented at 6 h after treatment with cyclohexamide. Caspase-3 activity was reduced by transfection with the bovine Prnp (p < 0.05). Conclusively, the viability of transfectants expressing exogenous bovine Prnp was decreased while the capacities for cellular protection against antioxidative stress and apoptosis were increased.

Targeted surveillance to assess the presence of BSE in the age risk population of cattle slaughtered in Bursa, Turkey: preliminary results of an immunohistochemical detection study for the 2004-2005 period

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), a member of the transmissible spongiform encepahlopathies, has been a notifiable disease in Turkey since 1997. In 2002, the BSE status of Turkey was assessed by the EU Scientific Steering Committee as "it is likely but not confirmed".This study presents the results of a targeted surveillance study to assess the presence of BSE in the age risk population of Bursa, Turkey. In the assessment procedure, the immunohistochemical detection of protease-resistant prion protein (PrP-Sc) was aimed at and applied to 420 brain tissues of cattle slaughtered in Bursa at an age of 30-months and older. None of the samples were positive for BSE.

Effects of Action Oriented Breast Self-examination(BSE) Education on Knowledge, Self-efficacy, and Performance Competence in Nursing Students / 여성건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to test effects of action oriented BSE education on knowledge, self- efficacy, and performance competence in nursing students. METHODS: A non-equivalent pre-posttest of time serial quasi-experimental design was used to prevent diffusion of the experiment. Out of 53 nursing students selected by convenient sampling in the third grade at a nursing college, 27 students were randomly assigned to the control group and were first given a traditional lecture on BSE. For the experimental group of 26 students action oriented BSE education consisted of lectures, demonstrations with breast models, and BSE skill practice by micro teaching. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in general and BSE-related characteristics between the two groups. Scores of the experimental group in knowledge, self-efficacy, and performance after the intervention were significantly higher than those of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that action-oriented BSE education was effective in increasing knowledge, self-efficacy and performance competence in nursing students. Education for students should incorporate strategies reinforcing confidence by practicing actual BSE skills as well as acquiring knowledge of BSE, so that students can become competent and practical cancer prevention educators.

BSE situation and establishment of Food Safety Commission in Japan

Eight major policies were implemented by Japanese Government since Oct. 2001, to deal with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). These are; 1) Surveillance in farm by veterinarian, 2) Prion test at healthy 1.3mi cows/yr, by veterinarian, 3) Elimination of specified risk material (SRM), 4) Ban of MBM for production, sale use, 5) Prion test for fallen stocks, 6) Transparent information and traceability, 7) New Measures such as Food Safety Basic Law, and 8) Establish of Food Safety Commission in the Cabinet Office. At this moment, the extent of SRM risk has only been indicated by several reports employing tests with a limited sensitivity. There is still a possibility that the items in the SRM list will increase in the future, and this indiscriminately applies to Japanese cattle as well. Although current practices of SRM elimination partially guarantee total food safety, additional latent problems and imminent issues remain as potential headaches to be addressed. If the index of SRM elimination cannot guarantee reliable food safety, we have but to resort to total elimination of tissues from high risk-bearing and BSE-infected animals. However, current BSE tests have their limitations and can not yet completely detect highrisk and/or infected animals. Under such circumstances, tissues/wastes and remains of diseased, affected fallen stocks and cohort animals have to be eliminated to prevent BSE invading the human food chain systems. The failure to detect any cohort should never be allowed to occur, and with regular and persistent updating of available stringent records, we are at least adopting the correct and useful approach as a reawakening strategy to securing food safety. In this perspective, traceability based on a National Identification System is required.

Comparison and Verification of BSE Surveillance in USA and Japan

Objective: The objectives of this study are to (1) compare the BSE surveillance systems of Japan and the United States (US), and to (2) validate the US enhanced BSE Surveillance program. Methods: This study compares the BSE surveillance systems in Japan and the US, specifically focusing on the procedures of initial test, diagnosis and confirmation. The study further examines the validity of statistical conclusions made in the US enhanced surveillance program based on the data collected from the BSE inspection performed by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan (MHLW) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) between October 18, 2001 and July 31, 2004. The inspection targeted all slaughtered healthy and high risk cattle. Results: The US enhanced surveillance program assumes no BSE occurrence in the normal adult cattle population and thus its inspection focuses only on high risk cattle. The BSE inspection performed in Japan, however, revealed that 0.00022% of the normal adult cattle were BSE-infected using the US criteria. Assuming that the same ratio of cattle was BSE-infected in the US, the Japan finding indicates that approximately 30% of the US slaughtered normal cattle population aged 30 months and over needs to be tested to satisfy the statistical condition used by the US (i.e., 99% confidence level). On the other hand, in order for Japan to perform the surveillance with a 99% confidence level (the statistical condition used by US), Japan needs inspect: (1) 60,539 high risk cattle (i.e., 60% of 100,583 high risk cattle); (2) 78% of normal adult cattle aged 30 months and over (1,088,589/1,387,522) and (3) 90% of normal cattle aged 30 months or less (1,845,138/2,050,154). Conclusion: The US enhanced surveillance program launched in July 2004 is based on the premise that no BSE occurs in normal adult cattle population. In Japan, however, BSE cases satisfying the US criteria have been found among the normal adult cattle. This fact suggests that the US needs to consider inspections targeting the normal adult cattle in the future. At the same time, for more efficient surveillance, Japan may need to consider BSE inspections targeting the high risk cattle population with a higher confidence level and normal adult cattle with a lower confidence level.

Comparison and verification of BSE surveillance in USA and Japan

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The objectives of this study are to (1) compare the BSE surveillance systems of Japan and the United States (US), and to (2) validate the US enhanced BSE Surveillance program.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study compares the BSE surveillance systems in Japan and the US, specifically focusing on the procedures of initial test, diagnosis and confirmation. The study further examines the validity of statistical conclusions made in the US enhanced surveillance program based on the data collected from the BSE inspection performed by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan (MHLW) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) between October 18,2001 and July 31, 2004. The inspection targeted all slaughtered healthy and high risk cattle.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The US enhanced surveillance program assumes no BSE occurrence in the normal adult cattle population and thus its inspection focuses only on high risk cattle. The BSE inspection performed in Japan, however, revealed that 0.00022% of the normal adult cattle were BSE-infected using the US criteria. Assuming that the same ratio of cattle was BSE-infected in the US, the Japan finding indicates that approximately 30% of the US slaughtered normal cattle population aged 30 months and over needs to be tested to satisfy the statistical condition used by the US (i.e., 99% confidence level). On the other hand, in order for Japan to perform the surveillance with a 99% confidence level (the statistical condition used by US), Japan needs inspect: (1) 60,539 high risk cattle (i.e., 60% of 100,583 high risk cattle); (2) 78% of normal adult cattle aged 30 months and over (1,088,589/1,387,522) and (3) 90% of normal cattle aged 30 months or less (1,845,138/2,050,154).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The US enhanced surveillance program launched in July 2004 is based on the premise that no BSE occurs in normal adult cattle population. In Japan, however, BSE cases satisfying the US criteria have been found among the normal adult cattle. This fact suggests that the US needs to consider inspections targeting the normal adult cattle. This fact suggests that the US needs to consider inspections targeting the normal adult cattle in the future. At the same time, for more efficient surveillance, Japan may need to consider BSE inspections targeting the high risk cattle population with a higher confidence level and normal adult cattle with a lower confidence level.</p>